MARYSVILLE, CA February 9, 2017 – Public safety officials from Yuba County and the City of Marysville learned today that water from Lake Oroville is once again being allowed to flow over the damaged spillway. California Department of Water Resources officials say a total of 47,000 cubic feet per second is being released, and that flow will continue as long as engineers monitoring the flow determine it is safe to do so.
The county and city officials have been attending daily DWR briefings and keeping in close contact with other local and state officials, as part of their effort to track the impact of storms and runoff. They learned today that DWR is stepping up releases from Lake Oroville to keep it from reaching its maximum capacity.
“We want to make sure our residents know that we have people here in the community keeping an eye out on the situation,” said Scott Bryan, Emergency Services Manager. “So far, the flood control efforts we completed a few years ago are doing an excellent job of keeping our residents safe.”
Bryan said his office has also received messages from individuals worried about the integrity of the Lake Oroville Dam. He emphasized that dam is not in any way compromised.
“The spillway and the dam are two separate structures on Lake Oroville,” Bryan said. “There is no damage to the dam.”
To get more information about flood preparedness or to register for emergency alerts via text or email, visit www.BePreparedYuba.org.