IT’S A GREAT SPOT FOR A PICNIC LUNCH...

For an appreciation of scale, power, and innovation, few outings in Butte County are more fulfilling than a tour of the Oroville Dam.

Tucked in the hills of Oroville, the Oroville Dam doesn’t call attention to itself. More attention is paid to the lake it creates, full of boating and water-skiing enthusiasts, and to the rivers that flow downstream, for their own renowned water recreation opportunities.

But in the shadows of its flashier sister attractions stands a behemoth of the State Water Project: at 770 feet, it’s the tallest dam in the nation (not just the tallest earthen dam, a common misconception). It retains about 3.5 million acre-feet of water in Lake Oroville—1.1 trillion gallons— and distributes it to the entire Sacramento Valley, and has since its completion in 1967. And its mostly concrete core barrier was reinforced with 80 million cubic yards of earth, one truckload at a time.

To really appreciate those numbers, though, a visit to the dam is a must. The drive up the dam’s mountainous ascent above the spillway provides a view straight down the spillway, showcasing a sheer mass of concrete cascading down the side of the dam like a 12-lane superhighway longer than the length of six football fields. A little farther up the road, what looks like a sprawling, concrete amphitheater is actually an enormous secondary emergency overflow area.

Atop the dam, you’ll want to make sure you have a camera and even binoculars with you because the vantage point from 770 feet offers 360 degrees of viewing. It’s a great spot for a picnic lunch at one of the rest areas atop the spillway; a bike ride or a hike down some of the easily accessible near the launch ramp; or a few moments spent admiring the vistas to the south or the hawks (and occasional eagles) gliding over the lake.

While the dam may seem like a stand-alone marvel, it's really part of a major network of water management systems and local tourist points, all of which are fascinating in their own right and are a must-visit if you’re touring the dam.

Lake Oroville Visitors Center

917 Kelly Ridge Rd, Oroville

An ode to the construction of the dam and reservoir is on display at the Lake Oroville Visitors Center, an office and exhibit complex highlighted by a spiraling viewing tower adorned with telescopes in each cardinal direction overlooking the dam, reservoir, and valley.

SPILLWAY BOAT RAMP & DAY USE AREA

Located at the end of Oroville Dam Road Boaters visiting the spillway’s boat launch ramp not only get the chance to see the behemoth spillway in person, but also can access the lake’s largest launch facility—eight to 12 lanes, depending on the water level, and nearly 400 total parking spaces. Those staying on dry land will enjoy the well-shaded picnic area with outstanding views of the lake and the Sutter Buttes, and it even has newly installed educational value with displays detailing the reconstruction of the spillway.

FEATHER RIVER FISH HATCHERY

5 Table Mountain Blvd, Oroville

Get an up-close view of migrating salmon in the fall and spawning trout in the spring at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Enjoy self-guided tours as you learn about the conservation work being done, or schedule a guided tour for the best experience (read more about the hatchery on pg. 20).

If you’re interested in a tour of the dam or the hatchery, contact the Department of Water Resources at 530.534.2306.