UPDATE #2: While the imminent threat is lower, the evacuations are still underway and now include 188,000 people.
See what alarmed dam management: (Shots from the 7SanDiego News footage.)
Oroville Dam erosion on the emergency spillway. The road washed away.
Oroville Dam Spillway erosion (the arrow points at the people inspecting one part of the erosion which was headed for the spillway wall.
A close up of the erosion looking down from over the spillway wall. We can see just how much ground disappeared on the weekend.
UPDATE #1: For the moment the dire threat is lessening as water has been successfully released, but the evacuation order remains in place, and around 130,000 people are or have been moved. They are even evacuating some baby fish.
LATEST NEWS: CA – DWR @CA_DWR
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A remarkable situation in California is taking place where tens of thousands of people and animals are being shifted away from Oroville Dam as a precaution.
“EVACUATION ORDER. Use of the auxiliary spillway has lead to severe erosion that could lead to a failure of the structure. “
RAW: Chopper Footage Of Damaged Auxiliary Spillway In Danger Of Failing
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See also Twitter news
OROVILLE, Calif. (KCRA) —
At least 130,000 people living along the Feather River Basin in Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties have been ordered to evacuate due to severe erosion on the emergency spillway at Lake Oroville.
Water began flowing over the emergency spillway at the Oroville Dam in Northern California on Saturday for the first time in its nearly 50-year history after heavy rainfall. Officials earlier Sunday stressed the dam itself was structurally sound and said there was no threat to the public.
Unexpected erosion chewed through the main spillway during heavy rain earlier this week, sending chunks of concrete flying and creating a 200-foot-long, 30-foot-deep hole that continues growing. Engineers don’t know what caused the cave-in, but Chris Orrock, a DWR spokesperson, said it appears the dam’s main spillway has stopped crumbling even though it’s being used for water releases.
Oroville Dam, California.
News at Twitter/Oroville
Dam levels at CDEC Elevation dropped slightly from 902ft to 901ft 899ft. Spillway overflowing.
h/t David, Pat, AndyG