Down the Concrete Chute

New Year's Day 1997 was not one of celebration at Lake Oroville. Its level was nearing the maximum capacity of 3.5 million acre-feet, with more than 300,000 cubic feet of water flowing into the lake from heavy rainstorms.

To lower the lake, the spillway's eight outlet bays were opened to release 160,000 cubic feet of water into the Feather River. As water rushed down the concrete chute's 3,050-foot length into the river, it made a spectular sight. Heavy mist hung in the air as the immense flows hit the chute blocks used to dissipate their force. While the heavy releases lasted only about three hours, the water's punishing power dug craters, blew out old patches, and exposed previously cracked areas in the structure's concrete surface.

To prepare for the next rainy season, repairs began in mid-October. Men and equipment were dwarfed as they labored along the spillway chute's 178-foot, 8-inch width. Under mostly sunny skies, they sandblasted the craters before filling them with concrete patches.
By November 18, the project, costing more than $300,000, was done.