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| Oroville Wildlife Area - Site # 5047 | |||
| Two important diversions were constructed on what is now the wildlife area, and then removed when construction of the Oroville Dam eliminated the need for them. Materials removal for construction of the dam began in 1963. During construction, Department biologists were influential in preserving wildlife values and creating habitat with potential value such as ponds, lakes, and islands. In 1968, the property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission. | |||
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| Background: | Before settlement, the area was typically riparian in nature. Wildlife abounded and some of the earliest explorers were fur trappers. The river alluvium was worked by miners from 1848 to 1857. The combination of available water, riparian vegetation, and grasslands in the adjoining alluvial fans made it suitable for livestock grazing. Permanent agriculture with small orchards and irrigated pastures developed until 1898 when gold dredging operations began. The dredging continued until 1952, leaving the land unusable except for small amounts of fishing and hunting afforded by the ponds and their riparian edges. | ||
| The Habitat: | The approximately 11,800-acre Oroville Wildlife Area is primarily riparian woodland habitat along the Feather River and grasslands around the Thermalito Afterbay. | ||
| The Experience: | Quiet open spaces. Many osprey nests. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Warm water fish species (largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, channel catfish, and black crappie) can be found in the numerous dredger ponds and the Thermalito Afterbay. Salmon, steelhead, shad, and striped bass can be found in the Feather River. Wildlife species seen in the area include coyote, badger, fox, bobcat, porcupine, osprey, white-tailed kite, egrets, woodpeckers, and warblers. There are good populations of coyotes, deer, dove, quail, and waterfowl, and fair populations of squirrel and rabbit. | ||
| Site Notes: | Hours: one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, except for at designated camping areas Activities: fishing, wildlife viewing, hunting, and shooting range The shooting range is for rifles, pistols, shotguns, and archery and is open from sunrise to sunset. There is no rangemaster. Facilities: camping, restrooms, and launch access | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Lake Oroville SRA Bidwell Park North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve | ||
| Festivals & Events: | Snow Goose Festival - Chico | ||
| Visitor Information: | Explore Butte County - (530) 918-4585 - www.explorebuttecounty.com | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | No | ||
| Open: | |||
| Hours: | |||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved.  Gravel. | ||
| Road Hazards: | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 0 | |||
| Parking Fee: No | |||
| Proximity to viewing area: | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: No | |||
| Parking Notes: There are areas to park off the levee. | |||
| How to Get There: | Access is via Highway 162 to the headquarters entrance, about 1/2 mile west of Highway 70, or at Larkin Road. Access for Thermalito Afterbay Unit is Wilbur Road at Hwy 162. The Thermalito Unit is five miles west of Oroville, east of Highway 99. Shooting range access is via Rabe Road. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California Department of Fish & Wildlife | ||
| Agency Site URL: | https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Oroville-WA | ||
| Physical Address: | 945 Oro Dam Blvd W Oroville, CA 95965 |
Agency 2: | , CA |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (530) 538-2236 | ||
| County: | Butte | ||
| Addition Website: | www.explorebuttecounty.com | ||