Oroville Emergency Recovery - Site Restoration, Oroville Dam Submission

Strategic Insights -

The Department of Water Resources has submitted 100% design documents for the Oroville Emergency Recovery - Site Restoration, Oroville Dam project to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The project aims to restore the site of the Oroville Dam, which was affected by a massive spillway failure in 2017. The submission includes final drawings, specifications, basis of design report, and quality control inspection program, which outline the proposed project.

Key Takeaways:

  • The submission includes critical energy infrastructure information (CEII) and has been filed electronically as CEII.
  • The Department of Water Resources anticipates advertising the project in early October 2025, in accordance with the schedule provided in the Quality Control Inspection Program (QCIP).
  • The submission is being made in advance of the 60-day requirement in Ordering Paragraph (M) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is requested to respond by August 1, 2025.
  • The project involves the submission of final drawings, specifications, basis of design report, and QCIP, which outlines the proposed project.
  • The submission includes attachments to the letter, which are listed below.

Statistics:

  • 60-day requirement in Ordering Paragraph (M) for submission of additional documents (as of April 5, 2024).
  • October 5, 2023: Date of filing Area-Wide Restoration Plan with FERC.
  • April 5, 2024: Date of FERC approval of the Area-Wide Restoration Plan.
  • February 16, 2023: Date of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order Amending License and Revising Project Description.
  • 2025: Anticipated year for project advertising.
  • August 1, 2025: Requested response date from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • 2027 (not specified): Anticipated completion/commissioning of the Oroville Dam.

Sources:

  • GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES P.O. BOX 942836 SACRAMENTO, CA 94236-0001 (916) 653-5791, submitted on May 16, 2025
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Order Amending License and Revising Project Description, Issued on February 16, 2023.