Workers Blow Up Portion of Lower Oroville Spillway

Workers blew up a portion of the lower spillway at the Oroville Dam in California on Sunday, May 28, as part of the construction project to improve the damaged structure.California Department of Water Resources officials said the controlled explosions should happen frequently as construction ramps up, according to a news report. The spillway was shut down recently for the season, which allows for the frequent controlled explosions.Construction to rebuild the spillway started on May 13, with most of it expected to be finished by November 1. The construction of a splash pad is planned for 2018.Erosion at the spillway was discovered in February during heavy rainstorms. Many Oroville residents were evacuated for several days as officials worried the dam could break because of erosion.