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Heavy Rains Might Test The Partially Repaired Oroville Dam Spillway

The Oroville Dam spillway, which collapsed more than a year ago, might face heavy rains in Northern California this weekend.

Heavy Rains Might Test The Partially Repaired Oroville Dam Spillway
Department of Water Resources - State of California
Austin Kim
By Austin Kim
SMS
April 6, 2018

Heavy rains are expected to hit Northern California this weekend and could test the Oroville Dam spillway.

The spillway collapsed last year, forcing approximately 200,000 people to evacuate. Crews are still repairing the structure.

Oroville lake, the emergency spillway, and the damaged main spillway, are seen from the air.

Environmentalists Predicted Oroville Dam Dangers Nearly 12 Years Ago

In 2005, three environmental groups warned both state and federal officials that California's Oroville Dam wasn't properly built.

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Oroville, California, could get up to 3 inches of rain. But officials are more worried about how fast that rain falls. They also warned they may have to use the partially repaired spillway this weekend, which might worry some locals.

The dam is not the only concern. Rain could hit some areas still recovering from wildfires, making some places vulnerable to mudslides. There are also flood warnings for several rivers in the region.

The forecast is enough of a worry for Yosemite National Park, which is closed to visitors for a majority of the weekend.