Lake Oroville Starts Seasonal Decline After Historic Peak

After peaking at full capacity earlier this year, Lake Oroville has begun its annual summer decline—a familiar cycle for California’s second-largest reservoir.

Following two consecutive wet winters, Lake Oroville made history this year by hitting full capacity for the third year in a row. This impressive rebound comes after the reservoir reached dangerously low levels during the drought-stricken summer of 2022, sparking concerns over statewide water security.

As of Monday morning, the lake sat at 896.46 feet—just under 4 feet below its full mark of 900 feet. That’s still 98% of capacity and 122% of the historical average for mid-June, according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). But the trend is shifting. With the snowpack now mostly melted and hot summer temperatures setting in, water levels are expected to steadily drop through the warmer months.

Despite the lake’s strength, not all parts of the Sierra Nevada saw equal snow. While northern regions delivered solid runoff, central and southern areas fell below average, creating uneven recharge across the state’s water systems. And with nearly 60% of California still considered abnormally dry—and 40% experiencing moderate drought conditions—the reservoir’s stability remains critical.

DWR officials say they’ll continue managing lake levels carefully, balancing water deliveries with environmental needs and planning for carryover storage into next year.

For now, Lake Oroville remains a rare bright spot in California’s complicated water picture—though its peak is already in the rearview mirror.