Anyone who has been following the information and excellent analysis on this thread is aware that maintenance on the Oroville dam has been appalling (NOT just on the spillway).
It is clear that the DWR is covering this up.
Since the same DWR is in charge of many other dams in California, it seems certain that other dams in California are also at risk.
Thus far, however, I see very little to indicate the people of California have figured this out.
If not for this thread, we wouldn’t have had an inkling of the danger our waterways and reservoirs are experiencing. Following the posts here are difficult to say the least for a layman. But we’re hanging in and getting to the real data behind the spillway overflow. Many thanks to the researchers for giving a damn!!
The Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) & DWR being in the same "house" can be like "trusting the monkey with the banana". There could be great temptation.
If DWR/DSOD loses trust with the public at one dam, how do they assure their reputation at all dams?
Two Dam districts, Santa Clara [2] and Irvine [7] both put out professional public literature/information that is intended to assure the public of the quality of the safety of their dams, noting the DSOD careful inspections and thorough assessments of the stability of dams. One of the most important instruments to assess the internal stability of a dam, especially just after a seismic event, is using internal water pore pressure sensors called Piezometers [1][3][4][5][6].
Any sudden jump beyond design parameters, or if water pressure is detected in a zone layer that it shouldn't be within, the dam operators could immediately determine the risk to the dam or if an internal unexpected problem has developed (such as a "through the dam" flow or threatening leak).
DSOD & DWR have chosen to slice the instrument tubings to the (50+) piezometers as they aged and stopped giving meaningful data [8]. Yet they came up with the bright idea of measuring seepage in three places (toe & side Gallery drains) along with settlement survey markers to replace Piezometers. Well, FERC has been asking and asking and asking for DWR to install new Piezometers at Oroville dam [9] (latest in 2016). Even a brave DSOD Inspector noted that just a couple (one in the core zone and one in the downstream Zone 2 transition layer would be useful). Yet DWR has done nothing. Nothing to replace the original 56 Piezometers carefully embedded in an array from bottom to top of the dam. They have zero functional piezometers working today. They have zero ability to assess the internal health of the stability of the dam which all of the other dams around the world consider as critical sensors.
So they have no way of determining if there are internal leaks. Yet they assure the public "when rain falls....then the grass grows", or don't worry, "it's a natural spring" (causing the green wet seepage area).
Even their own DSOD Inspection reports reveal that they have stated in these reports that the Greening Area Seepage is from water coming from the reservoir. Thus their PR misdirection regarding the source of the Seepage area is provably conflicted.
Eventually, something is going to break badly in a way that they will not be able to continue to "spin" is from "Climate Change" or is from "running out of oil", or you get a "flat tire". Something that will cause the veil of CEII secrecy "hiding behind" to where the public distrust is so high there will be demands for new operators to be put in charge.
DWR knows this. Their whole existence rides on current events. But the ultimate existence that should be of the highest importance is not "how to look good", it should be "how to protect the lives of people, property, and the welfare of the state".
Here are reference links that document and back up the above:
[1] Instrumentation and Monitoring of Dams and Reservoirs (piezometers, earthquake, slope stability assessment)- www.eolss.net/Sample-Chapters/C07/E2-12-02-06.pdf [2] Dam Seismic Stability FAQ - Santa Clara Valley Water District (piezometers, earthquake, slope stability assessment)- www.valleywater.org/DamSafety/SeismicStabilityFAQ.aspx
"How does the water district monitor its dams to ensure they are safe? - The water district monitors its dams visually and with instruments installed in the dams. In 2005, the water district created a formal dam safety program, which includes dam surveillance and monitoring. The water district uses a number of instruments to monitor its dams. Internal piezometers measure the dam’s internal core for water pressure, much like a person monitors their blood pressure. Pore pressures determine how the water is flowing through the dam. This is supplemented with seepage monitoring downstream of the dams. Inclinometers measure deformation, or a change of shape within the dam. The water district also uses survey monuments to check on the movement of dams on the surface. In addition, water district staff, the California Division of Safety of Dams and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission conduct annual inspections of the dams."
[3] Dam safety & Safety Devices - piezometers - phreatic surface - stability assessment - https://www.slideshare.net/TusharDholakia/dam-safetyandsafetydevices1
[4] Dam Safety Instrumentation - piezometers - earthquakes https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276268760_Dam_Safety_Instrumentation - AJER-Bamne and SS valunjkar June 2014.pdf
[5] Dam safety at BC Hydro fact sheet- Dam safety instrumentation includes - 3,000 piezometers measuring water levels in slopes, dams and foundations, Earthquakes,- https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2014/dam-safety-at-bc-hydro.html
[6] Facts about Dam Safety at BC Hydro - International safety standards are met by regular monitoring, rigorous inspections - piezometers, slope stability, earthquakes - https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2014/dam-safety-facts.html?fixZoomMobile=true
[7] Irvine Dam Safety Program - Irvine Ranch Water District Dams Are Safe - DSOD has several programs that ensure dam safety. - Piezometers are used to measure ground water and other fluid pressure levels- http://www.irwd.com/construction/dam-safety-program
[8] DSOD Safety Inspection report Feb 8, 2011 Photo 5. "The Piezometer tubing bundle in the S-Block continues to seep."…"A seepage collector pan is visible in the lower foreground".
[9] DSOD Safety Inspection report Sep 27, 2016 page 4. "An incomplete FERC Part 12/DSRB recommendation states that "…a plan for long-term monitoring of the phreatic surface within the dam embankment needs to be developed and implemented." "O&M is working with DSOD to develop a course of action"