PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (CA) Flooding continues for CA - Day 7

Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2017 19:59:30 EST

Summary: Flooding continues in California during a short break in rainfall, with more storms returning next Tuesday.

The Oroville, CA area has been under evacuation order since late yesterday for potential flooding from a possible spillway failure at Oroville Dam. In response to this situation, the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) has participated in several multi-agency command briefings today by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Emergency Operations Center, the California Office of Emergency Services, and DWR Statewide Emergency Preparedness and Security. Evacuation orders remain in effect as the situation continues to develop. The CAWSC has been in contact with officials from NOAA/NWS, Reclamation, and DWR on this issue. With more rain predicted for California beginning on Wednesday, the USGS will continue to evaluate the situation as it unfolds. Post-flood activities are possible, and the USGS is prepared to provide science support to help inform emergency response.

Although no rain is expected for California today, many north central counties remain under flood warning today. The NOAA/NWS California Nevada River Forecast Center reports many California rivers remain above flood (9 gages) or monitor (21 gages) today, including 13 gage locations along the Sacramento River.

The California Water Science Center (CAWSC) has 2 crew responding to this event today from the Redding, CA and Santa Maria, CA service areas. These crews are performing streamflow verification measurements in coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Redding crew is measuring streamflow on the Sacramento River at Keswick (11370500) to provide Reclamation with flow verification during a scheduled release of 70,000 cfs from Lake Shasta. Similarly, the Santa Maria crew is measuring streamflow on the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam (11251000) where Reclamation will be releasing 9,000 cfs, the largest release from that dam since 2006.

No safety issues have occurred during this series of storms and all staff have followed USGS field reporting and safety protocols. Updates will continue to be provided as necessary.