Oroville–Thermalito Complex

Oroville–Thermalito Complex
Aerial view from the west showing Lake Oroville, the Oroville Dam, Thermalito Forebay and Thermalito Afterbay
Location
StateCalifornia
RegionNorthern California
CountyButte
Nearest City(s)Oroville East, Ca, Oroville, Ca & Thermalito, Ca
Operations
OperatorCalifornia Department of Water Resources (DWR)
Other operators/co-operatorsFeather River Recreation and Parks District (FRRPD), California Department of Fish and Game
Sources
Primary sourceLake Oroville
Other source(s)Feather River
Construction & operations
Designed & built byCalifornia Department of Water Resources
Construction period1961-1969
Operations began1968

The Oroville–Thermalito Complex is a group of reservoirs, structures, and facilities located in and around the city of Oroville in Butte County, California. The complex serves not only as a regional water conveyance and storage system, but is the headwaters for, and therefore perhaps is the most vital part of, the California Department of Water Resources' State Water Project, as one of the largest publicly built and operated water and power development and conveyance systems.