Independent research and analysis of California's developed water systems
The proposed Del Puerto Canyon reservoir would inundate active landslides. This creates the risk of a lake tsunami, which could cause failure of the dam. Experts call for a geotechnical evaluation of the site.
This evaluation is done in comparison with the Principles for State Investment of Climate Adaptation, developed by California Water Research and supported by the One Water Network of environmental organizations.
A coalition of environmental groups, including the Environmental Water Caucus, California Water Impact Network, California Sportfishing Alliance, Restore the Delta, Planning and Conservation League and Southern California Watershed Alliance sent an end of year letter to Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris, and Representative Jared Huffman, calling for funding of environmentally superior alternatives to new dams. … Continue reading Environmental Groups Call for New Congress to Fund Seismic Remediation of San Luis Dam over New Dams
1 New Melones Dam, owned by US Bureau of Reclamation Source: Wikipedia The United States Congress is currently considering an extension of the controversial 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act or WIIN Act. Section 1 of the extension would appropriate an additional $134 million per year for the next five years for new … Continue reading Why more storage won’t help conflicts on the Lower San Joaquin River
More coverage of the problems with the seismically challenged San Luis reservoir by Alex Breitler for the Stockton Record. Breitler quotes the Bureau of Reclamation as saying that a reservoir restriction at San Luis would “be a massive issue for water users.”
The seismic remediation and raise of San Luis Dam is estimated to cost $600-700 million. Together with the Oroville spillway repair, this is a total of almost $1 billion for public safety upgrades to State Water Project dams.
... causes of the incidents were all related to conditions previously noticed as safety violations by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Division of Dam Safety and Inspections.
The current industry standard is to have Emergency Action Plans for all High Hazard dams, but California does not give the Division of Safety of Dams the authority to require dam owners to prepare one.
Records show that 3 dams upstream of Oroville had extensive spillway repairs in 2009, at the same time that the Oroville main spillway had extensive repairs. There is no record of an Emergency Action Plan for any of the dams.
Risk Management Solutions estimated there is $21.8 billion in damageable property in the Oroville Dam inundation path. Dam inundation is not covered by standard insurance policies... areas with no flood insurance would include most cities.