A beautiful view of a nearly full Lake Oroville. Photo provided by Will Sheffield

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – After waves of heavy storms dropped inches of rain throughout the valley and foothills and feet of snow in the mountains, local reservoirs and rivers have swollen to healthy levels, not seen for quite some time.

State agencies such as California Water Watch reports that major reservoir levels currently sit at 117% of average levels, snowpacks currently at 99% average peak snowpack, and the percentage of dry wells below normal level have dropped to just 37% across the state.

As for Butte County, Drought.gov reports that February was the 30th wettest February on record and this year has been the 29th wettest year on record over the last 130 years. As a result, the word “drought” might not be heard much this year.

Water releases continue from the Oroville Dam Spillway. Photo provided by Will Sheffield

Lake Oroville currently sits 863.05ft, which is at 84% capacity according to California Data Exchange Center, California Department of Water Resources (CDEC, CDWR).

Water is currently being released from the Oroville Dam spillway, swelling the Feather River as snow melt is expected.

As of March 1, of this year, DWR reports that “Feather River flows remain at 3,50 cfs through the City of Oroville with 10.350 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 14,000 cfs downstream.”

Releases from the Oroville Dam are expected to continue.

According to the CDECCDWR, as of March 12 Northern Sierra/Trinity Mountain ranges boast 112% snowpack or snow water equivalents, and the Central Sierra ranges sit at 96%.

The Honcut-Headwaters-Lower Feather watershed in Butte County sits at 96% of the historical average. Historically the precipitation statistics for this area state that water year to date is typically 19.96” and as of March 11, 2024, it is currently at 19.17%.

For up-to-date information on local reservoir conditions, snowpack, precipitation and more, please visit water.ca.gov/current conditions or cww.water.ca.gov.