Thermalito Forebay dam
Thermalito Forebay
Thermalito Forebay, located in Oroville, California, is a state-regulated dam with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 91 feet and has a hydraulic height of 65 feet. With a storage capacity of 11,768 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 630 acres and is fed by the off-stream waters of the Feather River.
Managed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Thermalito Forebay serves as a vital component of California's water resource infrastructure, providing not only hydroelectric power but also recreational opportunities. The dam's spillway, with a width of 30 feet, is uncontrolled and can discharge up to 5,000 cubic feet per second in times of high water flow. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected by both state and federal agencies to ensure its safety and integrity.
Thermalito Forebay's risk assessment is categorized as moderate, with a DSAC assigned date yet to be determined. While the condition assessment is not currently available, emergency action plans have been prepared and updated to meet guidelines. As a key feature in the San Francisco District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam plays a crucial role in water management and climate resilience efforts in the region, highlighting the intersection of water resources and climate adaptation.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Thermalito Forebay -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 311 cfs | → |
| Yuba R Nr Marysville Ca | 1,530 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 41 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R A Colusa Ca | 6,680 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 569 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R Bl Wilkins Slough Nr Grimes Ca | 4,940 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thermalito Forebay .
Boat launches
- River Bluff Drive 39, Oroville
- Larkin Road Oroville
- Monument Hill Road, Oroville
- Butte County
- Potters Ravine, Oroville
Campgrounds
- Bidwell Canyon - Lake Oroville State Rec Area
- Loafer Creek - Lake Oroville State Rec Area
- Limesaddle - Lake Oroville State Rec Area
- Live Oak Riverfront Park
- Feather Falls
- Collins Lake Rv Park & Campground
Fishing spots
- Thermalito Afterbay
- Oroville Lake
- Merle Collins Reservoir
- Bullards Bar Reservoir
- Englebright Lake
- Butte Creek
Paddle runs
- Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville
- Poe Dam To Highway 70 Crossing
- Nelsons Crossing To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
- Cresta Dam To Poe Reservoir (Camp Creek)
- Bear Gulch To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
- Forest Road 94 To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
Track Thermalito Forebay in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Thermalito Forebay
Where does the data for Thermalito Forebay come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Thermalito Forebay .