Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

California Dam Repairs Hit $1.1 Billion, Could Climb Higher

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Rich Pedroncelli / AP /  File

In this Nov. 30, 2017, file photo, work continues on the Oroville Dam spillway, in Oroville, Calif.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP / File

Paul Elias, Associated Press

(AP) — The cost of repairs and other improvements stemming from last year's near-disaster at the Oroville Dam is $1.1 billion, a staggering total nearly $250 million over projections at the start of the year and that could go higher, California officials said Wednesday.

Recent additions to crews racing to meet a Nov. 1 deadline to fix spillways at Oroville Dam before winter rains arrive is the primary cause of the increase, the state Department of Water Resources said.

Both spillways at the dam crumbled and fell away during heavy rains in early 2017, prompting fears of a catastrophic dam collapse.

Water officials had assured the public for days leading up to the failures that the dam — the nation's tallest — could handle rising waters amid persistent and heavy rains.

Then on Feb. 12, 2017 — a Sunday afternoon — officials ordered an immediate evacuation, saying the dam could collapse within an hour.

The panic of the sudden evacuation turned into frustration and anger when many of the evacuees found themselves stuck in gridlocked traffic hours after fleeing the danger zone.

Residents were allowed home a few days later after water behind the dam receded and the danger passed.

Nonetheless, state water officials were left with a massive construction project to make the dam safe.

The department initially awarded a $275 million contract to a private contractor in April 2017 to make the repairs. Five months later, the cost estimate soared to $500 million and then to $870 million in January.

Unexpected excavation projects have also added to the latest cost increase involving the dam, department spokeswoman Erin Mellon said.

The water agency plans to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for 75 percent of the repair costs after the project is finished. The rest would be borne by State Water Project customers.

FEMA could reject all or portions of reimbursement requests if it determines the crisis was caused by poor maintenance, agency spokeswoman Brandi Richard said.

That was one of several factors to blame, according to independent engineers previously hired by the state water agency.

Their lengthy report also concluded in January that state water officials were "overconfident and complacent" about the dam's condition and gave "inadequate priority for dam safety."

The report isn't expected to jeopardize the water agency's application for FEMA reimbursement, Mellon said.

The report "clearly stated that the incident couldn't have been prevented based on what was current practices on inspections and evaluations," she said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday.

FEMA has so far contributed $87 million to help with the cost of the $160 million response. Another $45 million is expected.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Oroville Dam

  • Oroville Dam

    Related Stories

  • CA Department of Water Resources / Twitter

    Two Congressmen Say It's Possible FEMA Won’t Pay Full Federal Share For Oroville Dam Repair

    Tuesday, February 6, 2018
    Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa and Democrat Rep. John Garamendi issued a joint release that says FEMA has informed Congress it’s uncertain whether it will pay some $650 million for repairs.
  • DWR / YouTube (screen capture)

    Cost Of Oroville Dam Crisis Reaches $870 Million

    Friday, January 26, 2018
    (AP) - California officials say the costs of dealing with last February's near-disaster at the tallest dam in the country have climbed to $870 million.
  • CA - DWR / Twitter

    Lessons From Oroville Dam: New Report Calls For Changes

    Tuesday, September 19, 2017
    A collection of environmental, fishing and whitewater groups recommends changes to dam management in a new report, issued in response to the failure of the main spillway at Lake Oroville in February.

 Oroville Dam

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

June 24, 2022

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

With Roe v. Wade overturned, will California’s universities become safe havens for out-of-state students?

June 26, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sacramento region hit with another heat wave this week, cooling centers to open

June 21, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.