OROVILLE: 270,000 cfs release from dam

Bill Croyle, acting director of DWR, said the increased capabilities will allow a high volume of water to be released from the reservoir in the event major flooding cannot be prevented in the region.

DWR would be able to release up to 270,000 cfs and prevent dam failure. But levees downstream rated to only handle about 150,000-160,000 cfs before being compromised, he said, so a major release would only be used during a catastrophic event.

Upgrades to the upper portion of the spillway and its increased release capabilities are expected to be completed by Nov. 1.

Kuttel said recovery crews will also be replacing as much of slab as possible on the main spillway this year. The lower portion of the spillway will be completely replaced, as well as the adjacent hillside, to return the area to its conditions before the February crisis.

Upgrades to the lower portion of the spillway will allow it to handle 100,000 cfs for the time being. DWR plans on continuing work on the lower portion next year to bring the capacity closer to the 270,000 cfs capability of the upper portion.

Emergency response work to the auxiliary (emergency) spillway has been completed, Kuttel said, though it is only temporary. By Nov. 1, DWR plans on completing recovery construction on the structure to put a cutoff wall, a splash pad and other protective measures to mitigate further erosion in the event the auxiliary spillway has to be used again in the future.

DWR sent out the construction contract to four pre-qualified bidders last week, Croyle said. Those contractors have since looked over the site. Bids for the project are due to DWR by April 12.

“We hope to execute a contract by our target date of April 17,” Croyle said.

Shortly before Thursday’s press conference, Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order that will assist DWR with response repairs already completed and recovery repairs yet to be carried out. The executive order will expedite permitting necessary for the process, as well as waive specific statutes that could hold up the repair process, Croyle said.

Combined with President Donald Trump’s disaster declaration for the region, Croyle said the two actions will provide much needed relief for