County Supervisor Barger Seeks Full Risk Assessment of County Dams and Spillways in Light of Oroville Dam Emergency

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger will introduce a motion directing county agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine any potential threats to public safety in the county’s system of dams, spillways and other water collection and diversion assets.

Barger, who represents the district with highest number of dams and other drainage facilities, said, “the Oroville situation reminds us of the need to proactively evaluate our county’s risk with regard to dams and other facilities which may be prone to failure from storms, earthquakes or other foreseeable events.”

Additionally, Barger’s motion will instruct the Department of Public Works to work with other county agencies as well as State and Federal partners to develop a list of priority infrastructure projects by district.