Emergency Spillway Release Photos from DWR

[WB Staff]

From DWR
Flow over auxiliary spillway between 6,000 and 12,000 cfs. No danger to dam or people. #OrovilleSpillway

[WB Staff]

FROM DWR Oroville Dam’s Auxiliary Spillway Begins Flowing

Oroville, California – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) said the auxiliary
spillway at Lake Oroville started spilling water at 8:00 am today. This occurred when the lake level
exceeded 901 feet elevation above sea level.

DWR officials said the flow over the auxiliary spillway will range between 5,000 and 10,000 cubic feet
per second (cfs). This will combine with the flow from the primary spillway, which is currently at
55,000 cfs, and this will result in a total flow to the Feather River between 60,000 to 70,000 cfs.
This flow to the Feather River is expected to be about half the downstream flood system capacity and
consistent with releases made at this time of year in wet years such as this.

The volume of water is expected to pose no flood threat downstream and should remain well within
the capacity of the Feather River and other channels to handle. Oroville Dam itself remains safe and
there is no imminent threat to the public.

DWR and CAL FIRE crews in past days have been clearing trees and brush from the path water is
taking in the auxiliary spillway, which is an unlined hillside. The auxiliary spillway flows are expected
to wash soil and debris into the Feather River.

Lake Conditions including lake levels, inflows, and outflow can be obtained at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp ... ?resid=ORO
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[biteme]

Didnt they say it wouldnt hit the emergency spillway a couple days ago? I would take what they say with a grain of salt.

[mark poulson]

The Dam is safe, and the emergency spillway, downstream of the dam, is 20' below the top of the dam height. It will never allow the dam to be threatened by having the lake spill over it's top. It's almost like the engineers who designed this dam actually knew what they were doing.

[Larry Hemphill]

Actually, the Oroville water project was one of the best things the state of California ever put together. Even leaving all the trees standing in the coves and using cables to secure the fallen trees to their stumps. This was to establish the warm water fisheries. The project was the work of Gov. Pat Brown, Jerry's father. At least that is what I have been told and have read. Amazing to see what happens to all the original wood after a nearly 50 years - gone!!