Greetings,
Fall has arrived, and with it, cooler temperatures – a big change from just a few weeks ago! I’m sure you remember all too well the record-breaking temperatures we had and how close California was to rolling blackouts because the energy demand was so great. At Yuba Water Agency, we are proud to know that our hydropower assets were critical in helping keep the lights on across the state. We responded to multiple calls from the California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) and state leaders, increasing our generation as much as we could to support the state’s needs in this incredible heat event. Hydropower is so flexible, that it really is the perfect complement to the state’s energy portfolio for circumstances just like that.
We are now wrapping up irrigation season, and all went well there. While it’s been an incredibly dry year across the state, at Yuba Water, we were able to deliver all the water our irrigation partners needed. And now, we’re on to preparing for flood season. As strange as it may sound in such a dry year, floods are still a very real threat. In fact, this week is Flood Preparedness Week, so please check out our social media feeds for some helpful tips and information.
Yesterday, I participated in a panel discussion about climate resilience and the need to rethink how we operate in order to prepare for the weather whiplash we’re already seeing – more extreme storms and more extreme drought. I want to reassure you that while much has been done to reduce flood risk in Yuba County, we’re not done, yet. We are keeping our eye on the ball, planning for Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations and finishing design on our ARC spillway, so we can be better prepared for these increasing extremes expected in the future.
We’re on it.
Willie Whittlesey
General Manager, Yuba Water Agency
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Yuba Water approves more than $4.2 million for south county infrastructure and forest biomass plant
Yuba Water last week committed more than $4.2 million in loans to help advance two significant projects in Yuba County. The bulk of the funds will help the City of Wheatland and Olivehurst Public Utility District upgrade and connect water and wastewater infrastructure in the south part of the county to accommodate growth and protect groundwater quality. An additional loan will support the Camptonville Community Partnership's work to build a biomass facility in the foothills near New Bullards Bar Reservoir. [Read on]
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California Flood Preparedness Week: October 22-29
Anytime you live near a levee or below a dam, you are at risk of flooding. California Flood Preparedness Week is an opportunity to learn about flood risk and prepare for flooding before it happens. Learn more about flooding and what steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and your property. [Read on]
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Salmon expedition brings learning to life
The South Yuba River Citizens League holds salmon expedition trips for schools throughout October and November to observe the migration patterns and life cycles of salmon, while gaining a better understanding of local ecology. Funding from Yuba Water supports the tours for Yuba County students, during which they learn about salmon habitat, restoration projects and Nisenan culture. [Read the Appeal-Democrat's recent story about the expeditions]
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Yuba Water participates in SYRCL's 25th Annual Yuba River Cleanup
In September, Yuba Water employees prevented more than 50 bags of trash, shopping carts and even a car bumper from finding its way into the Yuba River. The effort to remove the enormous amount of trash and debris was part of the South Yuba River Citizens League's 25th Annual Yuba River Cleanup, a week-long event that positively impacts the watershed. [Check out photos from the cleanup]
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Yuba Water is now on YouTube and Instagram
Yuba Water is expanding its digital footprint! You can now find all of our videos on YouTube. We’re also now on Instagram! Follow us @yubawater.
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Yuba Water’s website has a new look!
If you haven't already seen it, Yuba Water's freshly redesigned external website is now live! The overall goal of the redesign was to update our website to make it more dynamic, visual and user friendly, while also improving navigation and some of the key features on the homepage. Improvements include updated, clickable imagery, new graphic buttons, graphic tiles that feature programs and projects, a larger “latest news” section, a featured video section and more. Visit yubawater.org to check it out!
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North Yuba Forest Partnership Partner Profile: The National Forest Foundation
 The North Yuba Forest Partnership is a diverse group of nine organizations passionate about forest health and the resilience of the North Yuba River watershed. Together, the partners are working on an unprecedented scale to collaboratively plan, analyze, finance and implement forest restoration across 275,000 acres of the watershed. In this profile, hear from California Program Forest Supervisor Carson Clark with the National Forest Foundation, an agency that leads forest conservation efforts across the country and is helping implement work on the ground to improve the overall health of the forest and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire in the Yuba River watershed. [Watch the video]
Did you know?
 Did you know, Colgate Powerhouse was constructed in 1942? Although we built a new powerhouse in the late 1960s ("New" Colgate Powerhouse), we still use the original hydropower plant as office and shop space. Fun fact: Some of the past hydropower equipment can still be seen in the basement and, if you look closely, you can also see the previously-used penstock on the hillside behind our building on the far right! [Learn more about Yuba Water and our history]
- Board of Directors Regular Meeting (November 1)
- Veterans Day - offices closed (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Holiday - offices closed (November 25 and 26)
- Association of California Water Agencies Fall Conference (November 29-December 2)
- Board of Directors Regular Meeting (December 6 and 20)
- Christmas Holiday - offices closed (December 24 and 25)
 Yuba Water recently led a tour of students and professionals participating in a Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations Colloquium hosted by our partners at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The group visited New Bullards Bar Dam and New Colgate Powerhouse to deepen the connection between some of the science and research they're learning and real-life reservoir operations. These students are part of the next generation of atmospheric scientists, hydrologists, resource managers, policymakers and others who will strengthen efforts to reduce flood risk and improve water management in California. We were happy to host them!
Want to be featured in our next newsletter or on our social media? Share your favorite Yuba River, New Bullards Bar or related photos on social media with the hashtag #YubaWater and tag @YubaWater!
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