OROVILLE (KMJ) — The flow of water down the Oroville Dam slipway has been suspended after what was described as a “gaping hole” appeared in it.
The California Department of Water Resources made that call to investigate what happened – after a maintenance worker saw water spraying up in the air Tuesday.
“The most important thing to say about this problem we’re having with the spillway, is that the dam itself is not in danger,” assures the department’s Doug Carlson.
“It’s integrity has not been compromised in any way, and the public is not in any kind of danger downstream. The spillway has a gaping hole in it, it’s the biggest chunk of hole I’ve ever seen.”
He says the damage is now being assessed.
When the issue came to light, witnesses reported seeing chunks of concrete flying into the air.
“It looked different to what we normally see there,” explains DWR Environmental Program Manager Eric See. “We actually got up there, we were able to turn the spillway off and then take a look, and that’s when we discovered the hole in the bottom of the spillway.”
The issue showed itself during peak water releases, which was prompted by the recent heavy rain.
“The hole is approximately 250 feet long, and about 180 feet wide or so….that’s a lot of concrete.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
