Cracks found in new Oroville Dam spillway, but officials say don’t worry

[WB Staff]

Cracks found in new Oroville Dam spillway, but officials say don’t worry

Hairline cracks have been detected in sections of the newly reconstructed flood-control spillway at Oroville Dam.

State and federal officials said they’re confident the cracks don’t pose a safety problem and don’t need to be repaired. However, the state Department of Water Resources, which operates the dam, said it will monitor the concrete surface of the spillway during the rainy season and beyond.

“The integrity of the newly reconstructed Oroville spillway is not in question,” said Erin Mellon, a DWR spokeswoman. She said the concrete will have no problem handling powerful flows should the spillway gates need to be opened this rainy season at the state’s second largest reservoir.

Read the rest and vid: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article186945568.html

[Robb R]

These would be the same state and federal officials that thought the old spillway was safe and had no problems !!
We need to start imposing severe consequences to these overpaid , under worked " officials " that always seem to tell us , " don't worry , everything is OK " trust us , we are the "experts " .

[ash]

These would be the same state and federal officials that thought the old spillway was safe and had no problems !!
We need to start imposing severe consequences to these overpaid , under worked " officials " that always seem to tell us , " don't worry , everything is OK " trust us , we are the "experts " .

Exactly, its not like they can come out and say oops we Fugged up and will have to go more over budget. This state has some of the highest taxes and lowest quality of infrastructure.

[Pat]

I have been told by people with decades of experience with concrete: "There are only two kinds of concrete, concrete that is cracked and concrete that is going to crack." (Kinda like outboard motors!) Hopefully they will seal any cracks and closely monitor for the future.