Condition of Spillway Ramp at Oroville

carmichaelbob · Post by **carmichaelbob** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:37 am

What is the condition of the Spillway Ramp at Oroville Lake? Can anyone share first hand knowledge of the situation? I don't like to launch in the mud as my boat is fairly heavy and I don't have a 4WD. I've been looking at the Reports pages but there's not much information there. Any help will be appreciated.

Norv · Post by **Norv** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:42 pm

Bob,

Shirley says that rather than go fishing you need to stay home and do things on your "to do" list!!!

We've seen what happens to your truck on unimproved ramps!!!

Skeeterman · Post by **Skeeterman** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:20 pm

Bob,

My son and I was there sunday its highly recommended to have 4 wheel drive its real muddy.

Fast 492 · Post by **Fast 492** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:21 pm

Bob, the ramps at Bidwell and the Spillway require 4X4 at this time, niether are muddy. Bidwell has a dock but is very steep when backing and once you get to the water it is a long tappering point to back out on. The spillway is not as steep but the road is bumpy and dusty, I recommend wiping your boat down before you drive up to the asphalt parking lot uptop, so as to not have mud by the time you get home....Goodluck, Jason

brambo0311 · Post by **brambo0311** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:58 pm

I launched in my ford ranger POS with a 18.3 procraft. Never needed to put it in 4x4. Hard packed gravel. Its steep but others with 2wheel drive were doing fine. No dock though, and the mud on the sides if you beach your boat is knee deep. I beached next to the rocks and tried to walk on them. I sent the rock and my shoe to center of the earth.

Fast 492 · Post by **Fast 492** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:59 pm

I talked to the Supervising Ranger Casey carlson yesterday and he said that they will no longer allow vehicles to launch that are 2-wheel drive, if they are there, they will stop you. Good luck, Jason

lowerider · Post by **lowerider** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:19 pm

Anyone know if the spillway launch is free right now? Sounds like it should be for the poor conditions but I was just wondering if anyone knows for sure? Thanks

carmichaelbob · Post by **carmichaelbob** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:37 pm

thanks everyone. Great information, especially the report from the Ranger about requiring 4X4.
Bob

Fast 492 · Post by **Fast 492** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:58 am

Yes the Spillway is free, they (Rangers) told me that since there were basically no services, how could we charge for parking or launching, so they are allowing all to use free until further notice. It should be posted on the bulletin board at the guard shack. You still have to pay at Bidwell.....

lowerider · Post by **lowerider** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:58 am

I launched my 14 foot flatbottom last night without 4 wheel drive. The ramp is fairly steep and I slipped the tires a little but not much problem. May be a little tougher with a bigger boat? The sign at top of ramp say 4 wheel drive recommended. Didn't happen to see any rangers. Launch was free wahooo!