Officials Attempt to Clean Up Massive Islands of Floating Driftwood in Lake Oroville
In Lake Oroville, a massive effort is underway to remove the vast amounts of driftwood that are floating on the water’s surface. The California State Parks and Department of Water Resources (DWR) have teamed up to use large booms to gather the driftwood, which measures between eight and ten acres in total.
According to a spokesperson for DWR, this amount of driftwood is considered normal in light of the high water inflows and lake levels. The lake is fed by three forks of the Feather River and the recent influx of water due to storms has contributed to the floating debris.
Low lake levels have historically caused driftwood to become stranded on the banks, but as the lake rises, the driftwood has become buoyant and is now floating. Some of the woody debris can be traced back to recent wildfires that burned parts of the Feather River watershed, the DWR said.
The DWR Civil Maintenance is actively patrolling the lake, collecting the driftwood with boom lines and gathering it in a cove area. Once the water levels recede, the driftwood will be disposed of later in the year.
State Parks is also collecting driftwood at the boat launch ramp areas and marina owners are containing driftwood at their locations. The State Parks team is working to post an order that will allow for public collection of driftwood in the Lake Oroville Recreation Area. The order is expected to be posted sometime in the next week.
The work to remove the driftwood from Lake Oroville is an important step in maintaining the health and safety of the lake and its surrounding area. The driftwood can pose a potential hazard to boats, watercraft, and other aquatic life, and its removal will help to prevent any negative impact on the environment. The collaboration between the California State Parks and DWR will ensure that the driftwood removal is carried out efficiently and effectively, ensuring a safe and clean lake for all to enjoy.
