Moving into the later part of the week and New Year, the north state is expected to receive more wet weather, suggesting that releases will begin again and continue. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) – After an atmospheric river hit the area over the Christmas holidays, the north state was left soggy and flooded in some areas, with rural road closures extending throughout the county.

The Department of Water Resources, California Data Exchange Center reported Lake Oroville reservoir levels at 799.15 feet on Dec. 24. At that time, water was released from the Oroville dam at 1,564 CFS but was slowly restricted to zero on Dec. 25.  The California Data Exchange Center listed rain fall during that period ranging from 12.98 to 13.08 inches.

Over the next few days, lake levels would increase as expected while the valley was pelted with heavy downpours, vicious winds and hail in some areas, prompting flood warnings and even tornado warnings in some areas and neighboring counties.

At the time of this article, Lake Oroville reservoir levels have increased to 821.18 feet, with storage at 2,345, 976 AF.  According to the California Department of Water Resources, California Data Exchange Center website, as of Dec. 30 at 8 a.m., releases from the spillway have ceased.

Inflow to the lake continues with the latest data from the California Data Exchange Center showing a decrease from 12,621 CFS in the early morning hours of Dec. 30 to the current 10, 491 CFS.

As a reminder, outflow statistical data represents outflow from Lake Oroville, including the Hyatt Power plant, spillway and low flow outlet, according to the California Department of Water Resources website. In addition to those outflow currents, the River Release records all data including releases from the fish barrier dam, fish hatchery and Thermalito Afterbay river outlet.

Currently River Release has stayed rather consistent at 1,760 on Dec. 29, only dipping a small amount to 1,745 CFS.

Moving into the later part of the week and New Year, the north state is expected to receive more wet weather, suggesting that releases will begin again and continue.