DWR Continues Critical Operations During Public Emergencies
North Complex/Bear Fire at Bidwell Canyon Marina from Loafer Creek at Lake Oroville. Photo courtesy of California State Parks.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues operations to maintain critical functions while modifying the way we work in the face of the current emergencies, like COVID-19 and fires statewide, to protect our staff and the public. DWR continues providing California its core services of water delivery, flood protection, dam safety, and infrastructure maintenance.
Due to California’s statewide fires, several State Water Project facilities (SWP) have closed to protect the public and employees of high fire danger in these areas. See update below. For fire incidents updates by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, go to the CAL FIRE website.
Following guidance from Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Department of Public Health (CDPH), DWR has made several changes due to COVID-19. To protect the health and safety of visitors and employees at DWR facilities, visitors and staff are advised to follow CDPH and local guidelines for social distancing. Stay six feet apart, wash your hands, and wear a face covering. For latest updates, go to COVID-19 website.
State Water Project Reservoirs and Facilities Status
While DWR continues its critical work, public access to some offices and facilities has been temporarily restricted, including DWR’s Sacramento headquarters office and regional offices in Red Bluff, West Sacramento, Fresno, and Glendale.
SWP reservoir and facility updates are below: *Note: Updated at 6 p.m. Sept. 29, 2020
| Reservoir | County | Open/Closed | Other Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Lake | Plumas County | Open for day use. Camping, smoking, campfires, and cookstoves not allowed. | |
| Frenchman Lake | Plumas County | Open for day use. Camping, smoking, campfires, and cookstoves not allowed. | |
| Lake Davis | Plumas County | Open for day use. Camping, smoking, campfires, and cookstoves not allowed. | |
| Lake Oroville | Butte County | Open | |
| Thermalito Afterbay | Butte County | Open | |
| North/South Thermalito Forebay | Butte County | Open | |
| Thermalito Forebay Aquatic Center | Butte County | Closed | |
| Clifton Court Forebay | Contra Costa County | Open | |
| Bethany Reservoir | Alameda County | Closed | |
| Lake Del Valle | Alameda County | Open with limited capacity for day use, boating, and camping. More info at: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/del_valle/ | Danger algal advisory |
| O'Neill Forebay | Merced County | Open | Caution algal advisory |
| San Luis Reservoir | Merced County | Open | Caution algal advisory |
| Los Banos Creek | San Benito County | Open | |
| Quail Lake | Los Angeles County | Open | |
| Pyramid Lake | Los Angeles County | Open | |
| Castaic Lake | Los Angeles County | Open | |
| Silverwood Lake* | San Bernardino County | Open |
| Visitors Center | County | Open/Closed | Other Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Oroville Visitors Center | Butte County | Closed | |
| Romero Visitors Center | Merced County | Closed | |
| Vista del Lago Visitors Center | Los Angeles County | Closed |
*Information on recreation managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation can be obtained on the CA Parks website.
Catch a Special Thrill Events at SWP Reservoirs:
All Catch A Special Thrill (C.A.S.T.) events at SWP reservoirs are cancelled for 2020. This includes:
- Lake Oroville in Butte County
- Brannan Island in the Delta
- O’Neill Forebay in Merced County
- Castaic Lake and Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County
- Lake Perris in Riverside County
- Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County
For more information on future events, visit the C.A.S.T. website.