Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  • Environment
  •  

Officials: Oroville Dam Spillway Will Be Ready For Rain

Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Kelly M. Grow / California Department of Water Resources
 

Kelly M. Grow / California Department of Water Resources

Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press

(AP) — California water officials said Wednesday that the $1.1 billion spillway at the nation's tallest dam will be in full working order if it's needed this winter, nearly two years after it was damaged and thousands were forced to flee.

Crews have finished pouring concrete on the main spillway at Oroville Dam, though it still needs to cure for a month and other work is necessary before it can be used, the California Department of Water Resources announced. Crews will also continue pouring concrete on an adjacent emergency spillway.

Both spillways at the dam, which is about 75 miles north of Sacramento in Butte County, crumbled and fell away during heavy rains in early 2017, prompting fears of a catastrophic release of water. State officials had assured the public for days leading up to the failures that the dam could handle rising waters amid persistent and heavy rains.

Then on Feb. 12, 2017, officials ordered an immediate evacuation, fearing that a concrete weir that holds water in the lake could collapse within an hour.

The panic of the sudden evacuation turned into frustration and anger when many of the evacuees found themselves stuck in gridlocked traffic hours after fleeing the danger zone. Residents were allowed home a few days later after water behind the dam receded and the danger passed.

State officials promised to be done with concrete work by Nov. 1 so there would be enough time for it to dry and be used by December. With that goal met, crews will need to fill small holes left by the construction process, seal joints and place sand and rock outside the walls.

On the emergency spillway, crews have poured concrete to line a portion of a hillside to prevent a repeat of the erosion that caused the 2017 scare. They still need to pour more concrete to link that splash-pad with the concrete weir at the top.

"More than 700 construction workers ... literally worked day and night to make incredible progress during the 2018 construction season," Tony Meyers, project manager for the Department of Water Resources, said in a statement.

Officials said in September that the cost for reconstruction had ballooned to $1.1 billion and said the figure could still rise. The water agency plans to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay 75 percent of the repair costs after the project is finished. The rest would be borne by State Water Project customers, including massive Southern California water districts.

Last winter crews had a portion of the spillway rebuilt for the rainy season but were not able to use it at its full capacity. The water level was kept far below normal levels and it was never used.

With the spillway completely fully rebuilt, it can handle water flows up to 270,000 cubic feet per second, the maximum for which it was originally designed in the 1960s.

DWR officials said Wednesday they'll again keep the water level low this winter to try and avoid using the spillway while work continues around it on the emergency spillway, site cleanup, road repair and other related projects.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Oroville Dam

  • Oroville Dam

 Oroville Dam

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

California 2022 primary voter FAQ

May 19, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

May 19, 2022

A Sacramento voter guide for the 2022 primary elections

May 19, 2022

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.