Oroville Dam Gets $235 Million Upgrade to Enhance Water Management and Environmental Protection
In a significant milestone for California’s water infrastructure, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has completed a major $235 million renovation project on the Oroville Dam’s river valve outlet system (RVOS). This critical enhancement is set to bolster operational efficiency, safeguard marine life, and fortify the State Water Project against the challenges of climate change.
Oroville Dam stands as the tallest dam in the United States at 770 feet and is integral to the State Water Project. It provides flood protection, water supply, power generation, and recreational opportunities while supporting the aquatic ecosystem in the Feather River. The dam, constructed from 1961 to 1967, dominates the northern Sacramento Valley landscape.
The RVOS, situated deep within one of the dam’s initial diversion tunnels, plays a crucial role in managing water temperatures by allowing the release of cold water from Lake Oroville into the Feather River. This capability is vital during extreme heat and drought conditions, helping to maintain optimal temperatures and support fish populations.
John Yarbrough, Deputy Director of DWR’s State Water Project, emphasized the importance of the upgrade, stating, “This investment in Oroville Dam’s infrastructure ensures the reliable and safe operation of the State Water Project’s largest flood protection and water supply facility. DWR will continue to prioritize modernization projects to improve aging infrastructure in an ever-changing climate.”
As climate patterns shift, California summers are seeing increased temperatures, and prolonged droughts are straining water supplies. During such periods, the cold water released from Lake Oroville’s depths helps sustain fish populations in the Feather River and at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. The DWR meticulously monitors water temperatures to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
Yarbrough further highlighted DWR’s mission, saying, “Part of DWR’s mission is to operate State Water Project facilities to protect, restore, and enhance the natural environment. This includes operating the Oroville-Thermalito Complex facilities in a way that supports Central Valley fish populations including Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, which spawn each year in the Feather River below the dam.”
The RVOS project commenced in October 2022, involving a vast multidisciplinary team and multiple construction contracts. Given the project’s location at the dam’s base, innovative construction management was necessary.
“Rehabilitating the RVOS was highly complex,” remarked Jason Brabec, DWR principal engineer and project manager. “It required immense coordination with contractors in a small space, all while ensuring that Hyatt Powerplant met its green energy commitments and cold-water release requirements. The years-long project required barges to transport valves, materials, and equipment, the installation of temporary bulkheads to permit work on valve infrastructure, and other creative construction methods. Because this system is critical to Oroville Dam’s operations, all phases of the work required high construction standards and safety protocols.”
The infrastructure revamp was executed by a joint venture between construction firms Syblon Reid of Folsom and The Dutra Group of San Rafael, with the valve system commissioning completed in June.
This rehabilitation is part of DWR’s continuous investment in Oroville Dam and other State Water Project facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of California’s residents and environment for future generations. For further information on the State Water Project, visit DWR’s website.
Additional Media Resources:
• Pixel Photo Gallery featuring images throughout construction
• VIDEO: Oroville Dam’s River Valve Outlet System Rehabilitation Project
Contact:
Raquel Borrayo, Public Affairs, Department of Water Resources
Original Story at water.ca.gov