DWR considers possible use of Oroville Dam Spillway
NRCR CH 7 Kelli Saam
MORE MIXED MESSAGES FROM DWR
OROVILLE, Calif. — The California Department of Water Resources is preparing for the potential use of the spillway this week.
DWR Spokesperson Erin Mellon said the decision will be based on Mother Nature.
On Monday Mellon said DWR is currently able to manage the water inflows into Lake Oroville by releasing water through the Hyatt Power Plant.
KCNR in Sacramento, CA reported Monday during the evening weather report by Mark Finan that there would be no more use of the main spillway this season because they could manage the lake level through the Hyatt power plant.
Recent wet weather has raised Lake Oroville to near capacity.
As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, Lake Oroville stands at 894.54 feet, about five and a half feet below peak capacity.
The lake level still remains very high, well above the 850 ft level which is the normal level of the lake. As of 4:00 am Thursday the lake level is 894.33 feet.
