[LibWhacker]

Oroville in pictures:

The theory

23 hours ago

9 hours ago

8 hours ago, taking a big bite out of that ridge

Evacuation area, which was ordered assuming that safety ridge will hold (and the dam doesn't collapse!)

Another view of the situation

Another view, 7 hours ago.

Beginning Thursday we have a week solid of rain in the forecast. Who knows how much after that?

I think the theory about the ridge is good -- as long as you don't have major damage to the main concrete spillway. :-(

[tomkat]

Thanks for those images .. excellent terrain overview for those of us unfamiliar with the area.

[SueRae]

Thank you for those photos. They tell a great deal. I hope all were ableft to evacuate safely..

[RayChuang88]

Even once the repairs are complete, there’s still this issue we need to resolve: it appears the original spillway is too narrow to start with. They may have to rebuild the spillway with greater width, especially given the height of Oroville Dam itself.

[pinkandgreenmom]

Thank you for the photos. We are taking a break from our homeschooling day to discuss this. The pictures helped my son understand the situation tremendously.

[OKSooner]

Yes, thanks for the pitchas.

They shoulda built two spillways so they'd be able to shut one down to FIX GIANT HOLES, etc. "One equals none, and two equals one."

Also they should have made the spillway(s) wider and have some of those giant concrete obstacles to break the momentum of the water right from the start and then some riprap and stuff after that.

That'll be, uh, $34,000,000.00, Governor.