For the first time in its near 50-year history, overflow water at Lake Oroville Reservoir is sent down an emergency spillway.  Damage in the concrete in early February reduced dam releases, resulting in high storm runoff pouring into the reservoir and causing the overflow.  Lake Oroville is the heart of the State Water Project which sends water from Northern to Southern California, eventually serving millions of water users in the South including the 62,000 residents of Rowland Water District.  State water managers are monitoring the situation closely to evaluate further concrete damage and are already estimating repair costs to top $200 million, a bill that could go directly to the rate payers of Southern California.  For information information regarding Lake Oroville and the State Water Project, visit www.water.ca.gov.

Please click the links below to follow the latest updates:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/16/opinions/dam-in-california-lall-ho-opinion/index.html

http://kron4.com/2017/02/09/lake-oroville-dam-spillway-crumbling/

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lake-Oroville-discharging-water-over-dam-s-10926950.php#photo-12360766

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article132332499.html

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/02/09/oroville-dam-spillway-damage-raises-evacuation-concerns-no-orders-given/

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article132405739.html