Work on the Brad Freeman Trail, which runs alongside the Thermalito Afterbay in California, has been suspended for the winter season, according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The announcement, made on December 8, 2023, indicates that the trail will be open to the public until construction resumes in May 2026.
After several months of sealing and paving, the DWR confirmed that the current phase of the project is about two-thirds complete. Public access to the trail was evident earlier this week, as numerous walkers traversed the Afterbay Dam Crest. DWR spokesperson Jason Ince noted that the completed work includes sections near the Thermalito power plant access road and the dam parking lot.
Future Plans for Trailway Construction
Looking ahead, DWR plans to resume work in May 2026, focusing on several key areas. These include a portion of the trail adjacent to the Thermalito Diversion Dam power plant, the trailway along Glen Drive at the Oroville Field Division Operations and Maintenance Center, and the remaining section of Afterbay Dam Crest Road from the East Hamilton Road access point to south of Highway 162.
Ince emphasized that while most of the Thermalito Afterbay Dam Crest Road has been paved, work on the section north of Highway 162 will recommence in spring 2026. Additional improvements are also planned for the parking lots servicing the Feather River Fish Hatchery and its associated office and maintenance building.
It is anticipated that the trail at Thermalito Afterbay Dam Crest Road will be closed once construction activities resume in spring 2026.
Current Conditions at Lake Oroville
As of December 10, 2023, Lake Oroville’s water level stands at 765.57 feet, marking the lowest measurement for this date since 2022. This level remains significantly higher than the 662.83 feet recorded in 2022. The current capacity of the lake is approximately 51% of its total capacity of 1.76 million acre-feet.
Flow rates indicate that the Feather River is currently at 650 cubic feet per second through the city of Oroville, with an additional 1,450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. This results in a total Feather River release of 2,100 cfs downstream. DWR has noted that further flow reductions may be implemented over the weekend, pending ongoing assessments of Feather River releases.
