Oroville Wildlife Area
Map SatelliteThis area, which lies on either side of the Feather River, is one of the most ambitious habitat restoration programs in the State. For years this area was used for dredge tailings. When it became the borrow area for the Oroville Dam it was leveled to a more natural contour, and areas that had once been rock or sand and clay piles once again became wetlands or riparian habitats, managed for wildlife. Today there are something over 175 hectares (450 acres) of ponds and canals plus additional marshes, with more scheduled.
The flora is typically valley riparian, with Fremont cottonwood, Populus fremontii, willows, Salix spp., valley oak, Quercus lobata, and sycamore, Platanus racemosa. In some of the reclaimed areas there are willow and cottonwood sapling thickets.
A variety of waterfowl winters on the river and ponds in the area and some nest here. Approximately 180 species of birds have been sighted in the area.
Fish are abundant, including both warm and colder water species, the former in the ponds, the latter in the river.
Integrity: Artificial wildlife habitat.
Use: Research, educational, observational, hunting and fishing.
March 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman