When the levee breaks....Lake Oroville dam in trouble.

[707dog]

Yesterday headed west out of sac on 80.
[video=youtube_https;yKJ6zwWofHc]https://youtu.be/yKJ6zwWofHc[/video]

i read that they opened up the weirs up river to divert alot of water that way...the rice should grow really good now! did you happened to notice how high the water was towards the fruit market on the left side?? the side roads were under water a couple weeks ago.

 

[Ziggy]

Here's a pretty good graphic of what they think is going on.
View attachment 539173

To me, that picture pretty much shows the shortcoming of ever thinking the emergency spillway could have ever worked "without" erosion. They're damned lucky the main spillway did the job of keeping the level below overflow. It's evident why evacuations were called for and the claim of 1 hour to failure was given.

The poor folks that had to deal with inferior design and gov refusal to fix what was a known flaw as recently as 2005, deserve great respect for overcoming these prior issues.

Hopefully the main spillway will hold for the upcoming natural weather events and real disaster is avoided. The goal must be to take the emergency spillway completely out of play. The only way it can ever be safe is a heavy well designed concrete shelf the entire length, narrowing down to a "ramp" to the river.

And I believe the worst area of erosion was way far to the side where the parking lot is with little to no concrete on the outflow side. In the pictures it looks more like a small retaining wall there vs the actual aux spillway.
Looking at the photos it appears the riprap and fast set concrete they poured in(nearest the main spillway) before the lake overflowed held up nicely. More of this along the entire base of spillway would do wonders in my book.

 

[Waterjunky]

Hello all;

Well, so far here in the delta, we are doing OK. Tyler island has not flooded (yet) and with the drop in the Mokelumne it appears that even if it does it will not be too severe. Fortunately for me that is below me. I am up on Parsons tract to the north of Walnut Grove. So far so good with this. The real fly in the ointment is that one of these events could happen at a moments notice on Parsons tract, putting me at risk. The good news is all the levies on this tract appear to be some of the better levies in the delta.

The East side of Walnut Grove is on Tyler, it is on the upper section, the potential breach is on one of the lower areas. This is why they are not evacuating town just yet. Additionally there is a short levy between the main body of the island and town. The McCormack-Williamson Tract was intentionally flooded over the weekend to prevent a uncontrolled flooding. In 1997 it breached and the water shockwave caused other major issues on nearby islands. It was decided to do this in a controlled manor rather than risk a repeat of 97.

The Oroville thing has me just as worried though as all that water from a potential breach has to go somewhere and that somewhere is several hundred feet from my house........ At the moment we are just dug in and watching everything very closely. As for DWR's handling of Oroville, I work for DWR and have to say that they lead up to Sunday night was just one CF after another. Their communication within DWR is even worse than their communication with the public. I am watching public sources as they are better than the internal stuff when it even exists. Fortunately I am not involved with any of the circus up north. I work on Ag water use. It appears I will be potentially involved in local levy patrols, but that is about it. As stated earlier by FBT, DWR owns most of this with the spillway issues (both of them). I think reasonable decisions are now being made but other agencies are involved and the world is now watching. This is going to be a long spring

Just as a side note, there are multiple agencies controlling the different lakes in the state so DWR is not running all of them. Folsom and Shasta are not DWR controlled.........

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I am in for updates on the Delta Smelt.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I am in for updates on the Delta Smelt.

Still swimming, or dead, either one.

 

[Waterjunky]

I am in for updates on the Delta Smelt.

I have heard that they are fairly good on a grill after a 24 hr lemon and garlic marinade.

Small, but that just means you need multiple per person.

 

[Old Texan]

And I believe the worst area of erosion was way far to the side where the parking lot is with little to no concrete on the outflow side. In the pictures it looks more like a small retaining wall there vs the actual aux spillway.
Looking at the photos it appears the riprap and fast set concrete they poured in(nearest the main spillway) before the lake overflowed held up nicely. More of this along the entire base of spillway would do wonders in my book.

I'm basing my thoughts on the helo videos that showed the water coming over and running into/behind what looked to be some type of concrete wall right at the bottom of and next to emergency spillway.

The water looked to be running into a sort of crevice where a long section of that concrete was missing, and it extended right into the corner and then diverted 90 degrees down the "spillway" at that point. Not that great amount of erosion in that corner area, but the section feeding into it which was somewhat hidden from the camera angle. The set concrete you're talking about held and turned the water, but I believe water also got down under the surface against the face of that spillway.

If you can find any of these videos taken from the helo over the emergency spillway, you'll see what I'm referring to. I watched that video intently and felt something was seriously amiss as the water volume going into the crevice didn't appear as much coming out in the corner. And that corner section appears to be where they're dumping rocks and bags from what has been. The early reports of the week spot point to this area. And also, the video showed men above on the main structure looking directly down into that corner very intently. They had a perfect overhead view to see what was taking place and may have very well alerted the damage prior to the evacuation order being given.

The parking lot end was a problem, but the inside corner due to the slope was the main point of flow that didn't go straight down the embankment. And I'd guess that corner was the weakest part of the whole damn and the preparation with that set concrete indicates the concern of a bad event in that corner.

I agree more concrete should be poured along the entire base of that emergency section, but the force of the water is going to erode all but the most properly made connection. That emergency spillway is just trouble waiting to happen and should never be used until properly repaired and improved.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I have heard that they are fairly good on a grill after a 24 hr lemon and garlic marinade.

Small, but that just means you need multiple per person.

Endangered smelt taste the best I hear.

 

[RCDave]

Endangered smelt taste the best I hear.

Smelt = food that my food eats.....

 

[Old Texan]

I am in for updates on the Delta Smelt.

Likely swept out into the bay and being eaten voraciously by game fish.......I'm sure the group who intently watch out for their welfare will be up in arms with demands for restitution from some government entity.:rolleyes

 

[GRADS]

Live feed. Shows that they have made quite a bit of progress over night. Lots of helicopters going. They have one going that carries 20,000 lbs. and dropping dump truck size loads of rock.

https://www.facebook.com/KCRA3/vide...live_video_explicit&notif_id=1486941585275775

 

[Her454]

Waterjunky, have you seen this? This is downriver from Wimpys Marina. Water is so high it snapped the moorings loose and drifted.... it's insane

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=674462526089451&id=208695935999448

 

[riverroyal]

theres no access to other side with end dumps or dump trucks of any sort? One bucket at a time is ridiculous. They should be cutting a road in from somewhere. But what do I know

 

[Ziggy]

Live feed. Shows that they have made quite a bit of progress over night. Lots of helicopters going. They have one going that carries 20,000 lbs. and dropping dump truck size loads of rock.

https://www.facebook.com/KCRA3/vide...live_video_explicit&notif_id=1486941585275775

Can't watch it because I have not assimilated into a FB'er.....[emoji57]

 

[riverroyal]

Can't watch it because I have not assimilated into a FB'er.....[emoji57]

me either Fock facebook

 

[spectra3279]

I have heard that they are fairly good on a grill after a 24 hr lemon and garlic marinade.

Small, but that just means you need multiple per person.

I thought the last count was only 6. So basically one person.

 

[was thatguy]

I have heard that they are fairly good on a grill after a 24 hr lemon and garlic marinade.

Small, but that just means you need multiple per person.

Hmmm, I'll have to try that!

I've tried seagull. (Tastes sort of like a cross between bald eagle and spotted owl...)

 

[SoCalDave]

Don't worry, Gov Brown sent a letter to Washington. When it arrives 2 weeks from now, I'm sure everything will be fine. Not sure if he sent it by train or mule though...

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Don't worry, Gov Brown sent a letter to Washington. When it arrives 2 weeks from now, I'm sure everything will be fine. Not sure if he sent it by train or mule though...

It'll be returned to sender though cause he only has 5 cent stamps still. Lol!

 

[4Waters]

He should have sent it on the bullet train

 

[coolchange]

Waterjunky, have you seen this? This is downriver from Wimpys Marina. Water is so high it snapped the moorings loose and drifted.... it's insane

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=674462526089451&id=208695935999448

I think that is now officially the stupidest thing I've ever seen. And the owner will get a bill for polluting the delta.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Busting my ass today, hauled in a bunch of firewood for Mom.
Drove by the fairgrounds, there are 600 folks from the valley out there, Cindy has had a few come in to her office with questions, she has helped as much as she could. This is still small town America in that way.
Stopped out there at the fairgrounds for a minute and had some coffee with some guys I know...
I learned something....The Army Corps of Engineers owns 20 or 25% of the program up in Oroville. Apparently, they kicked in this amount of $$ during the build and offered their services on the project in return for control of the same percentage of the Water behind the dam....they send it downriver to the places they want it to go.
So that adds another ingredient to the stew, as it were.
One of my best friends has a general engineering company, they got the call last night, they are up there somewhere with the big ass excavator they own, I asked them to send me some pics if possible. We shall see.

Waterjunky I am glad to hear you are okay. Cindy and I instantly thought of you and your family when the Levee deal down there came up. Were it to turn completely sideways and you need a place to go...you call or text me. We will make room up the hill here for you.:thumbsup

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Napanutt that graphic is pretty close, but if my deteriorating memory serves me from that rappelling class we had the "wet" side of the wall is not curved like that, it is almost vertical. I seem to remember we climbed up the wet side, (which was dry at the time) and then came down the dry side. My memory is pretty vivid, this was my first time on a rope and I...well I ain't fond of heights (love to fly in and hang my head outta helicopters, makes no sense) and I was more comfy on the dry side with the radius off the top than coming up the wet side.

 

[Uncle Dave]

My company delivered 400Lb of dog food, dozens of blankets and a pickup truckload of human food to people at the grass valley fairgrounds yesterday to try to do something to help with the situation. Its really sad all these displaced families.


UD

 

[Sharpy]

Well ,it looks like a crisis had been averted! I've been quiet about this situation and keeping my fingers crossed. Sunday we got the notice to evacuate around 5:30 as many of you know. It took me about 45 minutes to get anything I wasn't taking as high as possible (tools & electronics), pack a few bags and load the few things from the safe and around the house that were irreplaceable into the truck. Is amazing how little you truely value as life or death when it's go time!! So I loaded up baby girl and the dogs and we were off! This where absolute pandemonium set in. Peeps were in a total frenzy and for good reason. I live on the North end of Yuba City, so it made sense for me to stay on those roads as I made my way out of town. Traffic was backed up even on the country roads for a 1/2 mile or more, and as I sat listening to horns honking and people risking their families lives by driving in oncoming lanes, it occurred to me that I needed to find an alternate route or risk succoming to the madness.

So I decided to buck the trend and drive North to get South. For anyone that knows the area, I went North and drove around the Sutter Buttes and backtracked on the West side back to Hwy. 20. Then made my way west to I-5 and South to Davis were we have a vacant duplex (luckily) to wait out the shit storm. To give some idea of the mayhem happening in the Yuba City/Marysville area,it's about 35 miles to I-5 with only 2 highway to get there and they merge about 1/2 way there. While I it took me about 1-1/2 hours to get to I-5 using back roads my neighbor called to see if we were ok and where we were, he had only made it about 2 miles from home and left 20 minutes ahead of me!

So we make it to Davis and I unload and settle in. Life is pretty good considering... when the phone rings. A friend who doesn't have 2 nickels to rub together had ran out of gas back in town and was begging for help. Already hearing stories on the news about possible looting, I grab the essentials (9mm and Gypsy, the worlds greatest dog) and begin my trek back to hell. A stop at Walmart for a fuel can was a total waste (only 2 gallon jugs) I found a 7 gallon water container that would do the trick. I fill it up with gas and top my truck off with fuel since I'm hearing every station in town is running out of gasoline one by one. As I'm heading North at 11 PM and a whole 5 hours since the evacuation order was issued, there is still a steady 2 lane stream of cars stopped or barely moving trying to make their way to safety. Since I was monitoring RDP and listening to the radio news coverage, I had learned that the lake had dropped below the emergency spillway so I was glad I wasn't heading to my demise. I reached my friend, gassed her up and sent her on her way.

At this point it's after midnight and I'm tired. I remembered a member post a flood graph earlier showing how long it would take to reach town (7 hours) so I decided to just head home and sleep for 6 and still be an hour ahead of disaster. These 2 towns were completely empty save for a few people who decided to sweat it out, and the police driving around like ants.

I woke up dry and check this thread to find out that the emediate danger was over but decided to leave everything as it was and just keep looking for updates. The last 2 days have been touch and go between the media coverage, press conferences and social media saying the sky was falling. About an hour ago, FB lit up again with rumors of dam crews evacuating and we need to go right now! No warnings on RDP so I continue the wood sanding project I'm working on while I watch my neighbors file out of the neighborhood 1 by 1 again. 10 minutes later the news conference comes on and they report everything's going fine and ahead of schedule. The Butte County Sheriff gives the all clear and lifts the evacuation order all together. So as of now, we are all fine.

Sorry for the long post guys, but I thought I'd give a firsthand view of what went on up here the last few days. If you take anything from my story, take this: Have a plan ready, know what you absolutely have to take, know exactly where you intend to go, and learn some alternate routes to get there, especially you So Cal peeps. I couldn't imagine the chaos that would ensue if there were ever an evacuation notice given to the greater LA area.

And a special heartfelt thank you to Grads, FBT and the others who've taken the time to give informative and crucial updates to this thread!!

Chris Sharp
~Sharpy

 

[C-2]

Outstanding, and an amazing read Sharpy, glad the family is okay. Best of luck to you going forward; stay alert. :thumbup:

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Sharpy;

So glad you are ok, and very humbled by your words of thanks. Get some rest, but I will tell you the same thing I am telling the other 10-12 folks on my contact list who are in your neck o the woods...Stay frosty. Keep the fuel tanks full and the irreplaceable stuff boxed up. I do this all damn summer because our demon up here is wildfire...Wife has about 10 clear plastic tubs with lids on them ready to throw in the RV if we have to go...and we have had to in the past.I think you need to do the dsame thing until the snowmelt is well under way and these Levees we have all over NorCal have proven they are ok.

Also, if you see any suspicious vehicles or people in your neighborhood don't hesitate to call the cops. Not 911, unless you witness something going down, but get a plate if you can and call. There are some seriously focused LEO's out there who would love to snag a looter or two...believe that.

Just my opinion, and again, thanks.
This, I think, is the kind of thing that makes RDP the best.


One last thing, FEMA has activated a IC and response team that is based out of Oakland, and is now on board. I don't know what the state has asked for, but it has been picked up by the appropriate cabinet level people in DC, and the ball has begun to roll.

For people who may have lost their homes or other stuff to flooding down in the delta this is a good thing.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

If you don't already know Butte County Sheriff has lifted all the evac orders.:thumbsup
He is advising people to keep their cars fueled and continue to pay attention to what is going on.
Watching the 4pm news they are busting ass. Actually doing some work to keep the main spillway from eroding further toward the dam as well.

And, as happened back in 1997 during the floods in Yuba City and Marysville area, some folks are refusing to leave the Evac centers, they are fearful and who can blame them. Give them some time to regroup....but...
Back in 1997 we had to sorta evict some "evacuees" from the fairgrounds.
After they'd been there 3 months it was determined they were taking advantage of things.

 

[rrrr]

Live feed. Shows that they have made quite a bit of progress over night. Lots of helicopters going. They have one going that carries 20,000 lbs. and dropping dump truck size loads of rock.

https://www.facebook.com/KCRA3/vide...live_video_explicit&notif_id=1486941585275775

This shows efforts against nature by man are inconsequential when nature is revved up.

 

[musicFunsun]

Husbands daughter & family in Plumas Lake & evacuated, waiting to hear they can get back home.
Thanks to RD peeps for keeping us informed.

 

[4Waters]

http://rdcfeeds.redding.com/lakelevels/oro.cfm

So we don't need to go look for it again, we are going to want to see the numbers.

 

[4Waters]

By the way when is the rain supposed to start tomorrow. I thought they wanted the lake level down 50' if I'm reading it right it's only down 16' they are not going to make it they need to open the gates up more.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

http://rdcfeeds.redding.com/lakelevels/oro.cfm

So we don't need to go look for it again, we are going to want to see the numbers.

Looks like the inflow rose again. Was below 14k now it's over 23k. I really think there is going to be another go around with these storms rolling in.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Well ,it looks like a crisis had been averted! I've been quiet about this situation and keeping my fingers crossed. Sunday we got the notice to evacuate around 5:30 as many of you know. It took me about 45 minutes to get anything I wasn't taking as high as possible (tools & electronics), pack a few bags and load the few things from the safe and around the house that were irreplaceable into the truck. Is amazing how little you truely value as life or death when it's go time!! So I loaded up baby girl and the dogs and we were off! This where absolute pandemonium set in. Peeps were in a total frenzy and for good reason. I live on the North end of Yuba City, so it made sense for me to stay on those roads as I made my way out of town. Traffic was backed up even on the country roads for a 1/2 mile or more, and as I sat listening to horns honking and people risking their families lives by driving in oncoming lanes, it occurred to me that I needed to find an alternate route or risk succoming to the madness.

So I decided to buck the trend and drive North to get South. For anyone that knows the area, I went North and drove around the Sutter Buttes and backtracked on the West side back to Hwy. 20. Then made my way west to I-5 and South to Davis were we have a vacant duplex (luckily) to wait out the shit storm. To give some idea of the mayhem happening in the Yuba City/Marysville area,it's about 35 miles to I-5 with only 2 highway to get there and they merge about 1/2 way there. While I it took me about 1-1/2 hours to get to I-5 using back roads my neighbor called to see if we were ok and where we were, he had only made it about 2 miles from home and left 20 minutes ahead of me!

So we make it to Davis and I unload and settle in. Life is pretty good considering... when the phone rings. A friend who doesn't have 2 nickels to rub together had ran out of gas back in town and was begging for help. Already hearing stories on the news about possible looting, I grab the essentials (9mm and Gypsy, the worlds greatest dog) and begin my trek back to hell. A stop at Walmart for a fuel can was a total waste (only 2 gallon jugs) I found a 7 gallon water container that would do the trick. I fill it up with gas and top my truck off with fuel since I'm hearing every station in town is running out of gasoline one by one. As I'm heading North at 11 PM and a whole 5 hours since the evacuation order was issued, there is still a steady 2 lane stream of cars stopped or barely moving trying to make their way to safety. Since I was monitoring RDP and listening to the radio news coverage, I had learned that the lake had dropped below the emergency spillway so I was glad I wasn't heading to my demise. I reached my friend, gassed her up and sent her on her way.

At this point it's after midnight and I'm tired. I remembered a member post a flood graph earlier showing how long it would take to reach town (7 hours) so I decided to just head home and sleep for 6 and still be an hour ahead of disaster. These 2 towns were completely empty save for a few people who decided to sweat it out, and the police driving around like ants.

I woke up dry and check this thread to find out that the emediate danger was over but decided to leave everything as it was and just keep looking for updates. The last 2 days have been touch and go between the media coverage, press conferences and social media saying the sky was falling. About an hour ago, FB lit up again with rumors of dam crews evacuating and we need to go right now! No warnings on RDP so I continue the wood sanding project I'm working on while I watch my neighbors file out of the neighborhood 1 by 1 again. 10 minutes later the news conference comes on and they report everything's going fine and ahead of schedule. The Butte County Sheriff gives the all clear and lifts the evacuation order all together. So as of now, we are all fine.

Sorry for the long post guys, but I thought I'd give a firsthand view of what went on up here the last few days. If you take anything from my story, take this: Have a plan ready, know what you absolutely have to take, know exactly where you intend to go, and learn some alternate routes to get there, especially you So Cal peeps. I couldn't imagine the chaos that would ensue if there were ever an evacuation notice given to the greater LA area.

And a special heartfelt thank you to Grads, FBT and the others who've taken the time to give informative and crucial updates to this thread!!

Chris Sharp
~Sharpy

Glad you guys are ok Chris. Be safe

 

[cicchetti_24]

Don't worry, Gov Brown sent a letter to Washington. When it arrives 2 weeks from now, I'm sure everything will be fine. Not sure if he sent it by train or mule though...

Under water fish delivery by delta smelt... that's how he did... old moonbeam trying to out smart everyone

 

[TX Foilhead]

Looks like the inflow rose again. Was below 14k now it's over 23k. I really think there is going to be another go around with these storms rolling in.

I'm pretty sure what you are seeing there is snow melt. It's probably been happening the whole time but it's not near as noticeable when the rivers are flooding.

 

[4Waters]

Post #933 flyinbowtie said Fema is on site (Oakland) so that means Trump approved at least some assistance.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

NWS stating that their hydro logical reports for the incoming series of storms show that they are carrying far less precip than the previous monsters brought over the last month or two...(seems like it has been raining continuously since Halloween).
Also these are colder storms, so the snow levels are down back to normal, in the 4000-5000 ft. levels. It may start high but move down quickly. Snow up high instead of rain to melt existing snow will be a great contributor to keeping inflow down to all the reservoirs a bit. The rain is supposed to start early in the am Thursday, and Thursday is supposed to be the biggest day of the three or four systems coming through.
We ain't outta the woods yet, but if we are forced to endure more weather right now, this is better.
The big question lies in what the future storms mother Nature has in store for us are going to bring.
It is only mid-February, we have a long way to go til spring get sprung, unless we get really lucky.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

http://rdcfeeds.redding.com/lakelevels/oro.cfm

So we don't need to go look for it again, we are going to want to see the numbers.

Here is another link to the state site, updated hourly, for Oroville.

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryF?ORO

 

[Flying_Lavey]

NWS stating that their hydro logical reports for the incoming series of storms show that they are carrying far less precip than the previous monsters brought over the last month or two...(seems like it has been raining continuously since Halloween).
Also these are colder storms, so the snow levels are down back to normal, in the 4000-5000 ft. levels. It may start high but move down quickly. Snow up high instead of rain to melt existing snow will be a great contributor to keeping inflow down to all the reservoirs a bit. The rain is supposed to start early in the am Thursday, and Thursday is supposed to be the biggest day of the three or four systems coming through.
We ain't outta the woods yet, but if we are forced to endure more weather right now, this is better.
The big question lies in what the future storms mother Nature has in store for us are going to bring.
It is only mid-February, we have a long way to go til spring get sprung, unless we get really lucky.

That's what I'm thinking too. They are predicting up to 5" in Cambria for the next week long storms. The predicted amount is getting higher and higher as it gets closer too. And our forecaster has been spot on with his predictions this entire year.

 

[4Waters]

Our forecasters are saying that these storms are sliding further south that originally thought, we are expecting heavy rain on Friday.

 

[dread Pirate]

The storm has just hit us. No rain yet, but the winds are gnarly! Calling for 60mph gusts. No idea what it will be like once it gets inland, but that's what's coming.

 

[Ziggy]

Our forecasters are saying that these storms are sliding further south that originally thought, we are expecting heavy rain on Friday.

Down here near San Diego what was a chance of a few showers is now rain Fri/Sat.

 

[Ziggy]

NWS stating that their hydro logical reports for the incoming series of storms show that they are carrying far less precip than the previous monsters brought over the last month or two...(seems like it has been raining continuously since Halloween).
Also these are colder storms, so the snow levels are down back to normal, in the 4000-5000 ft. levels. It may start high but move down quickly. Snow up high instead of rain to melt existing snow will be a great contributor to keeping inflow down to all the reservoirs a bit. The rain is supposed to start early in the am Thursday, and Thursday is supposed to be the biggest day of the three or four systems coming through.
We ain't outta the woods yet, but if we are forced to endure more weather right now, this is better.
The big question lies in what the future storms mother Nature has in store for us are going to bring.
It is only mid-February, we have a long way to go til spring get sprung, unless we get really lucky.

If it's cold enough to keep the snow level down they have more time to bring lake level down too. They may be counting on that to some degree as well.
I can tell you it feels much cooler tonight down my way.

 

[Rvrluvr]

Down here near San Diego what was a chance of a few showers is now rain Fri/Sat.

I saw somethin that said LA is gonna get 3.5" this weekend 😳

 

[Old Texan]

http://rdcfeeds.redding.com/lakelevels/oro.cfm

So we don't need to go look for it again, we are going to want to see the numbers.

That figures out to dropping close to 5" per hour. Unless the rains get worse than predicted, things should hold at the dam. Critical issues will be what develops downstream as the the released water arrives and spreads out.

Our 2016 Brazos River flood took 2-3 weeks to develop 200 miles downstream. Curious what the predictions are for the lower end of the area watershed?

 

[Waterjunky]

Waterjunky, have you seen this? This is downriver from Wimpys Marina. Water is so high it snapped the moorings loose and drifted.... it's insane

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=674462526089451&id=208695935999448

yea that is a bad deal there at Wimpy's but frankly I am not sure how many options they had. I drove by on Sunday and was looking at the excavators and all after the event. There was no land up north to pull from to get the boats off the bridge. I can sure as hell tell you I would not get on one of those boats and try to start it and drive it off the bridge, assuming you even have the keys and such because hotwiring it would take even longer on the boat and this also assumes that it runs (many houseboats at docks like that don't). The third option mentioned was a tug, if you are familiar with the area, Where are you going to get one and then how in the world are you going to get it over to the correct side of the bridge? You need to remember that access to many locations are restricted by high water / bridges and such. Besides, running a tug under those conditions is not for feint of heart, that water was treacherous and moving fast......

I am not trying to defend what they did, just say that options were limited and complex. They chose the safest, easiest, and fastest, not necessarily the best.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

yea that is a bad deal there at Wimpy's but frankly I am not sure how many options they had. I drove by on Sunday and was looking at the excavators and all after the event. There was no land up north to pull from to get the boats off the bridge. I can sure as hell tell you I would not get on one of those boats and try to start it and drive it off the bridge, assuming you even have the keys and such because hotwiring it would take even longer on the boat and this also assumes that it runs (many houseboats at docks like that don't). The third option mentioned was a tug, if you are familiar with the area, Where are you going to get one and then how in the world are you going to get it over to the correct side of the bridge? You need to remember that access to many locations are restricted by high water / bridges and such. Besides, running a tug under those conditions is not for feint of heart, that water was treacherous and moving fast......

I am not trying to defend what they did, just say that options were limited and complex. They chose the safest, easiest, and fastest, not necessarily the best.

You are absolutely spot on. All of the arm chair quarterbacks saying all the crap about they should have done this and that have NO idea what the water is like in that area. They also have NO clue about getting a tug into that area, it's impossible, especially with the gates closed in Walnut Grove. That entire area is next to impossible to get a tug or boat big enough into position to help. I hated seeing those houseboats get destroyed but I don't know what other options they had.

 

[Old Texan]

You are absolutely spot on. All of the arm chair quarterbacks saying all the crap about they should have done this and that have NO idea what the water is like in that area. They also have NO clue about getting a tug into that area, it's impossible, especially with the gates closed in Walnut Grove. That entire area is next to impossible to get a tug or boat big enough into position to help. I hated seeing those houseboats get destroyed but I don't know what other options they had.

Bad deal all around and facts dictate they had to be removed to keep the water flowing. If they had become lodged under the bridge, it would have eventually failed was more debris built up.

Videos often fall way short of telling the real story, especially when the chances were high a 20'-30' wall of water could being coming at any time.

 

[Ziggy]

You are absolutely spot on. All of the arm chair quarterbacks saying all the crap about they should have done this and that have NO idea what the water is like in that area. They also have NO clue about getting a tug into that area, it's impossible, especially with the gates closed in Walnut Grove. That entire area is next to impossible to get a tug or boat big enough into position to help. I hated seeing those houseboats get destroyed but I don't know what other options they had.

I was surprised the water flow didn't turn them sidways and roll them under like the first boat when they first hit the bridge.