Oroville Dam - California

[dust in the wind]

Oroville Dam - California - she's over the espillway

I've been following this on another forum. The power of water!

As of a little big ago tonight, they are about 2 feet from topping the emergency spillway. Sounds like the lake has been rising about .25 foot per hour.

overview of the dam

Pic of the damage found earlier this week.

inspecting the hole

Apparently the spillway was in need of repair a few years ago and "fixed" - guess not good enough.

They opened up the spillway at higher flows to see what damage it would do.
this was after that test.

Video from earlier today.


- - - Updated - - -

a couple more videos from today

 

[deleted member]

That's interesting. That emergency spillway they are clearing debris from appears to be earthen. No?

 

[dean nelson]

That's the emergency spillway and yes it's not lined with anything similar to many of ours. As of 40 mins ago she's at 900.72 and over tops at 901.

 

[dust in the wind]

Emergency spillway - timeframe - friday afternoon with 3.75 feet to overtopping

 

[dean nelson]

900.89 as of 34 minutes ago so if accurate she will over top in about 20 mins. Be curious to see how well all that concrete they poured at the base of the overflow yesterday will hold up.

 

[dust in the wind]

She's going over

 

[dean nelson]

Well about the only accurate thing they have had sofar is their damn gauge! 900.09

 

[dust in the wind]

Another shot from an aerial view

 

[dean nelson]

They have that live stream from the chopper but unfortunately I can't get it on my tablet.

 

[dust in the wind]

Try this link

https://content.uplynk.com/channel/829a8c85f9e840c6bed963856c231428.m3u8

 

[deleted member]

That looks like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[dust in the wind]

Here's the chopper feed from this morning.

 

[dean nelson]

That's weird listing to the pilot just shooting the breeze with the other aircraft.

 

[Kurtr]

So will all this moisture Calli is getting will it pull them out of the drought

 

[Srputz]

How many times has it gone over the emergency spillway. How old is this dam.

 

[dean nelson]

0 and over 40

 

[Srputz]

If they poured concrete yesterday they through money into the river. It takes along time to cure.

 

[Kickemup]

So will all this moisture Calli is getting will it pull them out of the drought

i doubt it why would they want to store water when it's easier to just dump it in the ocean.

 

[HolePuncher]

I seen this topic and really got my attention.... I've tried looking at CNN, abc new, and even some of there local news company's and there is absolutely nothing being aired I found other than one guy on YouTube. But if this water keeps rising and overfilling the wall it was rated for that was not built into the solid bedrock. How much concern do they have of this becoming more of a problem than what is happening now ?

And they predict more storms and rain in the coming week......

 

[dust in the wind]

From what I found, the dam opened in 1968. The emergency spillway has never been tested and this particular lake has risen over 200 feet since December! Plus they are calling for more rain and mountain snow melt has to come yet.