State officials asked Indian Valley Community Services District personnel to monitor cracks in the roadbed on the Round Valley Reservoir Dam after a recent inspection.
    The cracks show some movement there, reported Water Operations Manager Jesse Lawson, though he did not seem unduly concerned.

    His main concern was the possibility of not being able to place the boards across the dam when it comes time to raise the reservoir level in the spring and summer months.
    He reported these concerns to directors during their regular meeting Wednesday, Jan. 13.
    He was asked to monitor the cracks for several weeks, to see exactly how much movement there is over a period of time, and then he will talk with the inspector again.
    One way to determine if there is movement is to paint marks on existing cracks in the road, Lawson said.
    “Any additional cracks in the road could indicate that the top of the dam is moving,” he continued. “With the appearance of some new cracks this past inspection, the inspecting officer thinks it appropriate to start monitoring the dam more closely.”
    Monitoring points have been installed along the crest of the dam, which will be surveyed at regular intervals.
    Surveys will be more frequent until there is enough accurate information to determine if any action is needed.
    The reservoir level has remained high this year, 20 percent higher than in previous years.
    Losses due to leaks and old meters were 14 million gallons less than last year, and sales increased by about 6 million gallons.
    This is the first year more water has been sold than lost.
    “And that’s a first,” Lawson said.