Dam operators seek to reduce flood risk as California’s second-largest reservoir steadily rises
In another sign that the drought is ending across much of California, state water officials planned to open the floodgates at Oroville Dam on Friday to let water out of the state’s second-largest reservoir to reduce the risk of flooding to downstream communities.
Devastating storms in February 2017 caused the spillway at Oroville, whose 770-foot tall dam is the tallest in the United States, to crumble, which prompted emergency officials who feared a potential dam collapse to evacuate 188,000 people. Craddock said Friday that dam safety engineers were on site Friday for the scheduled noon opening of the gates atop the spillway, and have been performing regular inspections. The new spillway also has instruments to measure pressure, drainage and other factors. Craddock said it performed well in the 2019 release and he expected it to perform well again.Lake Oroville, built on the Feather River about 70 miles north of Sacramento by former Gov.
Craddock said Friday that with the huge Sierra Nevada snowpack this winter — the largest in 30 years — the water being let out now will be replaced.
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