Page - 47 - in Book of Full Papers - Symposium Hydro Engineering

coordination issues; 3) compiles, authenticates, and makes available summary disaster status information obtained from all sources, in the form of Situation Reports, to the Governor's Office, the legislature, State agency headquarters, media, and others as appropriate; 4) provides necessary coordination with and between established statewide mutual aid systems at the state headquarters level; 5) manages the state government emergency public information; and 6) supports the recovery process and assists State agencies and Regional Emergency Operations Centers (REOC) in developing and coordinating recovery action plans. During the Oroville Dam Spillway Incident, the SOC and a REOC were activated to the highest level and were critical in addressing local and State agency needs. This system led the State response to assist many local agencies during the mass evacuation of about 188,000 people. It was critical to deploy a number of high-level DWR executives to the SOC to facilitate enhanced communication, situational awareness, and resource priority setting between the DWR Department Operations Center (DOC) and the Governor’s Office. 3.1.4 Department of Water Resources Emergency Operations In addition to many other responsibilities, the Department of Water Resources is responsible for protecting life and property from catastrophic events such as flood, drought, and dam or levee failures. When significant weather events are forecast, DWR is responsible for coordinating local, State, and Federal flood operations. DWR’s first layer of emergency coordination is the Department Operation Center (DOC), which is responsible for coordinating all DWR emergencies and communicates directly with the SOC. DWR operates many potential emergency centers, including a State and Federal Flood Operation Center (FOC) to coordinate various flood-related emergencies. DWR’s Project Operations Center is responsible for emergencies focused on State Water Project facilities. Similar to the State’s Emergency Response plan, DWR and SWP have specific emergency response plans and emergency action plans that focus on their respective responsibilities and facilities. 3.1.5 Public Contract Code Section 10122(b) In cases of failure or threat to a dam, reservoir, aqueduct, or other water facility or facility appurtenances, DWR has unique emergency construction authority. DWR must expedite processes and, in some cases, immediately implement work. This emergency authority pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 10122(b) is critical to DWR and SWP in safely and efficiently executing its mission. 4. THE OROVILLE DAM SPILLWAY INCIDENT California receives most of its precipitation and largest storms during the winter months. Thus, large reservoirs, such as Lake Oroville, are needed to provide flood protection in the winter and then water supply for the summer months and carryover in anticipation of drought years. Beginning in January 2017, after 5 years of historic drought, above average rainfall and snowfall occurred throughout most of California. 47