Northern California residents blast state over dam repairs

OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Northern California residents living in the shadow of the nation's tallest dam vented decades of frustration with state water managers Wednesday, telling officials they have no credibility when they say hairline cracks in a newly rebuilt spillway are nothing to worry about.

In February, nearly 200,000 people had to evacuate because of catastrophic damage to the spillways at Oroville Dam. The crisis was averted, but concern lingers as the rainy winter season begins and officials prepare the partially rebuilt spillway for potential use.

California Department of Water Resources officials got an earful from residents wanting to know about the safety of the dam in a town-hall meeting.