Experts issue warning on Oroville Dam's main spillway

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Wednesday, March 22, 2017
The Oroville Dam is seen in this undated image.
The Oroville Dam is seen in this undated image.
KGO-TV

OROVILLE, Calif. (KGO) -- A team of experts is warning of a "very significant risk" if the main spillway of a California dam is not operational again by the next rainy season.

The warning is contained in a report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. It was made by a federally created investigating team for Oroville dam.

VIDEO: Oroville Dam emergency spillway at risk of failing

Nearly 200,000 people are still under mandatory evacuation orders Monday night over fear the Oroville Dam emergency spillway could fail.

It says repair crews at the Lake Oroville dam have only a few months to make sure the spillway is in good enough shape for the next rainy season, which starts in November, or the state faces a "very significant risk."

The report does not specify the risk.

Authorities evacuated nearly 200,000 people last month after huge holes appeared in both the main spillway and emergency spillway. Officials are worried the hole in the main spillway could get bigger.

Click here for more of ABC7 News' photos, video and stories on the Oroville Dam.

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