Two Dozen Factors Considered in Oroville Dam Spillway Failure

The California Department of Water Resources on Wednesday, May 10, released a list naming more than two dozen factors that may have contributed to the Oroville Dam spillway failure in February.The list is preliminary and no conclusions have been reached yet, according to the memo. Officials said these factors should be considered when repairing and reinforcing the spillway in the months to come.Damage caused by erosion was discovered on the spillway in February as heavy rainfall drove up the level of Lake Oroville. The town below the dam was evacuated in case of a breach. People were allowed home within days. Officials have been working to repair the spillway since.This video shows the damage at the lower portion of the spillway and the canyon created by water flows.