"What we're doing here over the next few months and into next year is lowering the height of this tower by 40 feet to make it seismically safe," said Tracie Morales, a spokesperson for the East Bay Municipal Utility District.
She explained that keeping the tower protected is critical since it regulates water levels in the reservoir.
East Bay MUD says this project is necessary for a number of reasons, most importantly, safety.
The district said without the retrofit, the tower could be a hazard to nearby communities.
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"In the event of a major earthquake, this outlet tower could break, and it could block the emergency spillway and cause flooding in the area," Morales said.
That flooding could impact thousands of people in surrounding neighborhoods.
East Bay MUD has been working with dam engineers for a decade to make the project as efficient and safe as possible.
Despite some public pushback along the way, many of the people we spoke with Wednesday appreciate the changes.
"Whatever it takes to save the neighborhoods, we're here to support," said Masood Ghiasi.
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The reservoir has long been a popular recreation spot for many in the East Bay.
Morales says her company is committed to keeping the reservoir open during construction.
"We've worked with our community, we've worked with the county and the users of this reservoir to ensure that there's an understanding of why we're taking these steps," she said.
The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027.