Oroville dam:
02/20/2017 –6:00pm 849.38 2800043 Outflow: 60447 Inflow: 88814
Excuse me maggie while I use a reply to you to post a general comment.
Everyone should realize that the Outflow is measured by the gate opening settings and flow meters to determine the approximate amount of outflow. The Inflow is much less precise. I understand that it is determined from lake level and Outflow being compared. The lake size at a given lake elevation is know and the acre feet can be calculated for each tenth of a foot the lake goes up and down. Therefore, the two thing that they need to control are adjusted based upon what they see mathematically coming into the lake.
The two things they need to control are lake level to control risk versus capacity and the impact of their outlet waters downstream with whatever the rivers empty into the bay. Tide levels in the bay play a roll. Rain and river gauges play and role and storms that aren’t even flowing into the Oroville drainage play a role.
They have decided they will shoot for a certain capacity and are holding that target lake level as best they can without too severe flooding downstream. I think we are seeing Shasta cut its flow more severely as they have more headroom.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article133932379.html
FEBRUARY 20, 2017 4:36 PM
Continued erosion of Oroville Dam’s main spillway part of ‘normal process,’ state officials say
When the storms pass, Croyle said the department would turn off the water releases and work to reopen the dam’s power plant. Contractors also continue to place rock and concrete at the base of the dam’s emergency spillway.
http://www.kcra.com/article/part-of-hwy-50-in-sierra-has-buckled-collapsed/8959415
Part of Hwy. 50 in Sierra has buckled, collapsed
No. 1 WB lanes remains open near Bridal Veil Falls in El Dorado County
Updated: 6:46 AM PST Feb 21, 2017
http://www.kcra.com/article/evacuations-ordered-due-to-levee-breach-south-of-manteca/8958411
Hundreds evacuate after levee breached near Manteca
Officials halt breach, keep evacuations in place
Updated: 12:14 AM PST Feb 21, 2017