Lake Oroville will have a functioning spillway by the start of the next rainy season, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Acting Director Bill Croyle says a partial plan for the structure should be ready within the next week.
"We will -- if I have anything to do about it -- will have a spillway to use by November first," Croyle says. "Whether that's a permanent or temporary structure is yet to be decided."
Last week, a federal inspection team warned of a very significant risk if the main spillway is not operational by the next rainy season.
The heavily-damaged spillway has been in use since March 17, but is being shut down today for inspections and continued dredging of the channel beneath it.
Croyle says he expects the spillway to be used one or two more times this season.
The spillway and the land around it has been eroding since early February when a gash was first noticed about half way up the shoot.
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