Oroville Dam

Oroville Dam, located in California, is the tallest concrete dam in the U.S., standing nearly 800 feet high. It was built to store water for California’s water supply, hydroelectric power, and flood control. The dam creates Lake Oroville, a large reservoir that holds water for periods of drought and supplies water to millions. In 2017, structural issues in a spillway—a safety feature for releasing excess water—led to emergency evacuations because of fears the dam could fail. Since then, extensive repairs and safety improvements have been made to ensure its reliable operation and protect communities downstream.