DWR names members of team to review spillway failures
The Department of Water Resources on Wednesday identified members of a forensic team that will review the spillway failures at Oroville Dam.
DWR responded to a demand from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month that it name the team by March 15, not in three months as the state agency had suggested.
“As you know, our immediate focus is ensuring the flood control spillway can be operated safely through the spring runoff season,” DWR official Ted Craddock said in a letter to FERC.
“At the same time, we are developing a plan and schedule to ensure safe operation of the flood control and emergency spillways during the next flood season. Finally, we will establish and engage an independent forensic review team to investigate the causes of the spillway failures.”
Officials feared the dam’s emergency spillway was near collapse last month, prompting the evacuation of more than 180,000 people from Butte, Sutter and Yuba County.
The primary spillway also was damaged but continued to operate.
The United States Society of Dams and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials selected an independent team to conduct a forensic evaluation of the spillway failures, Craddock wrote.
The DWR official said the forensic team “will consist of a core group with expertise in various engineering disciplines. The core team will rely on a larger team, including worldwide expertise, to provide support in specialized areas.” The core team members are:
John France, with more than 41 years of experience in engineering consulting and design. Most of his technical work for the past 33 years has focused on dams and water retention structures.
Hank Falvey, president of Henry T. Falvey & Associates Inc. and faculty affiliate, Colorado State University. He was recognized as one of 11 eminent water resources engineers who have made a great contribution to the profession during their career at the 2004 American Academy of Water Resources Engineers meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.
John Trojanowski, president of Trojanowski Dam Engineering Ltd. Dam Engineering Consulting Services.
lrfan Alvi, president and chief engineer with Alvi Associates Inc. He has 28 years of experience in structural, water resources, geotechnical, and transportation engineering for dams and other infrastructure.
Steven Rigby, director, Dam Safety, BC Hydro, British Columbia, Canada.
David K. Rogers, with more than 50 years of broad professional experience as a senior project manager and geological engineer for planning and design and rehabilitation of a variety of dams.