Workers operating barge-mounted heavy equipment continued clearing tons of debris left beneath the crippled Lake Oroville spillway Tuesday, as work proceeds toward restarting the dam’s hydro-electric power plant.
An estimated 1 million cubic yards of broken concrete and rock left behind by floodwaters formed an impromptu dam in the diversion pool. That excess water is preventing the dam’s Hyatt power plant from going back online. When operable, water can be released through the plant at a rate of up to 14,000 cubic feet per second.
Officials shut off the damaged main spillway Monday, to facilitate the work. Dramatic photographs and official video show the extent of the damage. Deep crevasses and gullies have been carved into the adjacent hillside since a central segment of the spillway began breaking up.
Officials said that if they can’t restart the power plant by next Tuesday, they will resume releases through the damaged spillway.
Bill Croyle, acting director of the Department of Water Resources said work is underway to repair or replace the damaged main spillway before next winter’s rains.
Meanwhile, officials are releasing water from the Thermalito Forebay and Afterbay to keep water in the river downstream, in an effort to protect salmon and other species.