Team Dahle recently attended the public scoping meeting in Marysville‚ hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers‚ regarding proposed updates to the Water Control Manuals for New Bullards Bar and Oroville Reservoirs. The updates are intended to evaluate potential changes to reservoir operations related to water management and flood risk reduction based on Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations.
The basic idea is that‚ thanks to improved forecasting especially of the winter “atmospheric rivers” that provide most of California’s annual precipitation‚ the reservoirs could store more water in the winter while still maintaining the ability to prevent downstream flooding during major storms.
Fully embracing this new management approach will require major investments including a proposed second spillway at New Bullards Bar‚ which is owned by the Yuba Water Agency‚ but it is important work to reinforce Northern California’s water supplies and keep communities safe from flooding.
Some residents of flood-prone areas are naturally cautious about any proposed change‚ so I encourage them to learn more and share their thoughts. Community members and stakeholders are encouraged to submit written comments about the Water Control Manual if they wish to provide input. Comments must be received or postmarked by March 4‚ 2026.
Additional information is available at the Corp of Engineers’ website
The basic idea is that‚ thanks to improved forecasting especially of the winter “atmospheric rivers” that provide most of California’s annual precipitation‚ the reservoirs could store more water in the winter while still maintaining the ability to prevent downstream flooding during major storms.
Fully embracing this new management approach will require major investments including a proposed second spillway at New Bullards Bar‚ which is owned by the Yuba Water Agency‚ but it is important work to reinforce Northern California’s water supplies and keep communities safe from flooding.
Some residents of flood-prone areas are naturally cautious about any proposed change‚ so I encourage them to learn more and share their thoughts. Community members and stakeholders are encouraged to submit written comments about the Water Control Manual if they wish to provide input. Comments must be received or postmarked by March 4‚ 2026.
Additional information is available at the Corp of Engineers’ website
