Originally Posted by
RatherBeFlying
RF incompetence is a strong competitor to deliberate destruction.
It seems spillway control had been inop since November. Once water overtops an earthen barrier, the collapse is usually pretty quick. There's lots of YTs showing dam collapses.
From what I can see negligence and stupidity appear the be the likely causes. Once water starts to pipe under a spillway the collapse is typically very sudden. To destroy that sort of structure with such a breach would require serious excavation and tons of explosives. Hard to do that unnoticed.
Dams are constantly monitored and operated according to protocols. Most dams have regular , even daily, inspection of the down steam face. I very much doubt this has being happening.