Oroville, Ca — Based on information received from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the incident command team managing Lake Oroville, counties and cities near Lake Oroville and the surrounding area issued evacuation orders for residents.
The concern is that erosion at the head of the auxiliary spillway threatens to undermine the concrete weir and allow large, uncontrolled releases of water from Lake Oroville. Those potential flows could exceed the capacity of downstream channels.
To avert more erosion at the top of the auxiliary spillway, DWR doubled the flow down its main spillway from 55,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 100,000 cfs. The next several hours will be crucial in determining whether the concrete structure at the head of the auxiliary spillway remains intact and prevents larger, uncontrolled flows.
Current flows are contained with downstream channels.
Flow over the auxiliary spillway weir began Saturday morning and has slowed considerably. DWR officials expect that flow to stop entirely soon, which will reduce the erosion on the downstream side of the structure.
Oroville Dam itself is sound and is a separate structure from the auxiliary spillway.
Per Yuba County
ALERT-ALERT-ALERT — Yes, an evacuation has been ordered. All Yuba County on the valley floor. The auxiliary spillway is close to failing. Please travel safely. Contact family and friends. Help the elderly.
Take only routes to the east, south, or west. DO NOT TRAVEL NORTH TOWARD OROVILLE!!!!!
Per the Butte County Sheriffs Office: Evacuation Shelters
- Neighborhood Church of Chico, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. (no animals inside)
- St. Johns Episcopal Church, 2341 Floral Avenue, Chico (small animals accepted if leashed and crated)
- Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair Street, Chico (small animals accepted)
Paradise - Paradise Alliance Church (CMA), 6491 Clark Road (small animals accepted, RVs allowed in Parking Lot)
- Elks Lodge (Paradise) 1100 Elks Lane, Paradise – (no small animals accepted, RVs allowed in Parking Lot)
Glenn County
- Glenn County Fairgrounds, 221 E. Yolo St. Orland, CA (accepting livestock, no small animals, 40 RV sites) Alternate Locations for RVs
- Rolling Hils RV Park, Corning (10 spaces left, can take large animals at equestrian center)
Animals Shelters
- Large Animal Shelter – Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair Street, Chico
School Information
- Butte College will be closed tomorrow – Butte College buses will not be running. Call Butte College Police Department with questions, (530) 895-2351.
