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November 2023
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A message from Yuba Water General Manager Willie Whittlesey
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Greetings,
As we head into Thanksgiving week, I can't help but reflect on some of the things I'm grateful for as Yuba Water's general manager.
First and foremost, our staff. The people who work for this agency are some of the most talented and dedicated folks I've ever known. For many of us, our work is so much more than just a job. We genuinely believe in our mission to build a better Yuba County and invest in our community, and it shows.
I’m also grateful for our many partners. Pretty much everything that we do is rooted in partnership and collaboration. One perfect example is the recently completed Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project, a 157-acre habitat restoration and flood risk reduction project on the lower Yuba River. The project is a huge accomplishment and a testament to the power of public-private partnerships (you can read more about it below).
Lastly, I'm thankful for the Yuba River watershed and all that it provides for us. As we head into the rainy season, New Bullards Bar Reservoir is at about 117 percent of average for this time of year. That means we're in excellent shape in terms of water supply and hydropower generation potential, while still maintaining plenty of space to capture storms that we expect through the winter.
This holiday season, I hope you find some things to be thankful for, too. Thanks for reading.
Willie Whittlesey
General Manager, Yuba Water Agency
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Large-scale, multi-benefit floodplain restoration project transforms part of the lower Yuba River
After five years of construction, a 157-acre, multi-partner habitat restoration project that directly benefits native fish like salmon and steelhead in the lower Yuba River and reduces flood risk for Yuba County communities is complete. In total, 3.2 million cubic yards of hydraulic mining sediment was removed from the river to make way for new habitat and reduce flood risk by lowering the river elevation and speed during high water events. [Read more]
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Construction of agency's new Power Systems facilities on Marysville Road in Oregon House continues
 Nearly all of the dirt work for Yuba Water's new facilities at 8897 Marysville Road is complete, with underground utility and foundation laying planned in the coming weeks. The six-acre property will include an administration building, warehouse, mechanics shop, covered equipment storage, laydown yard, parking, an improved school bus stop near the site and more. Work will continue through the winter months, with construction expected to be complete by spring 2025. [Read more]
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Levee improvements on the Feather River in Reclamation District 10 north of Marysville underway
 On Nov. 7, Yuba Water approved a $1 million grant to further strengthen a levee on the east bank of the Feather River in Reclamation District 10 north of Marysville. “As we head into what is projected to be another wet winter, I can’t think of anything more important for our agency than to continue to shore up our levee system to reduce flood risk for our communities,” said Charlie Mathews, Yuba Water’s board director representing the northern Yuba County area. [Read more]
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Yuba Water grant will upgrade aging water delivery infrastructure to improve reliability in foothills
 Last month, Yuba Water’s Board of Directors committed $200,000 to help the North Yuba Water District upgrade an aging wooden flume that delivers water for residential and agricultural use in the Yuba County foothills. The funds will cover the construction of a new, inverted siphon to replace the aging Hell for Stout Flume, part of the Forbestown Ditch, and increase the structure's capacity for water deliveries. [Read on]
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Agency honors Bill Shaw, namesake of public safety grants, and provides funds for drainage improvements
 Six years ago, Yuba Water employee Bill Shaw was involved in a catastrophic accident at work. After Shaw recovered and returned to work, he wanted to find a way to give back to the first responders who saved his life. Now, the Bill Shaw Rescue Equipment and Training Grant Program has committed approximately $400,000 in funds to Yuba County first responders, thanks to Shaw’s vision and Yuba Water’s continued commitment to the program. [Read on]
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Yuba Water receives funding to improve groundwater monitoring, modeling, recharge and more
 Yuba Water recently received more than $4.3 million from the California Department of Water Resources to expand groundwater monitoring and modeling and to identify areas most suitable for groundwater recharge projects in Yuba County. The agency manages two groundwater subbasins in the region in partnership with local irrigation districts and the City of Marysville. [Read more]
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Yuba Water saves Yuba County more than $400,000 with loan to pre-pay pension obligations and more
 Earlier this year, Yuba Water provided a loan to help the county finance its unfunded liability portion of its CalPERS payment, which the agency has done each year since 2017. Every year, the county has repaid the short-term loan in full. Unfunded pension liability is the gap between future benefits that a pension fund expects to pay out and its current assets. [Read more]
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Bear Yuba Land Trust names Yuba Water its 2023 Business Supporter of the Year
 Bear Yuba Land Trust has named Yuba Water its Business Supporter of the Year for our ongoing sponsorship of the Yuba Rim Trail within the 2,700-acre Rice’s Crossing Preserve, which stretches approximately six miles from New Bullards Bar Reservoir to Englebright Reservoir. Our agency was among several local organizations and individuals recognized at Bear Yuba Land Trust's Conservation Awards and Gratitude Breakfast in Nevada City on Nov. 18. [Read more]
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American Society of Civil Engineers Sacramento Section recognizes Yuba Water as outstanding project winner
 Yuba Water and Malcolm International have received the ASCE Sacramento Section's Outstanding Construction Project of the Year for a new automated monitoring system at New Bullards Bar! The award recognizes exceptional or innovative construction projects and outstanding project management, design and execution. The new system gives real-time, structural monitoring data for more than 80 survey targets on the dam. Previously, surveys were done manually twice a year with limited targets. [Read more]
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Yuba Water in the news...
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Yuba County students explore the Yuba River
Another successful season of Salmon Expeditions on the lower Yuba River wrapped last week, with a record 1,126 Yuba County students who participated! The day-long rafting trip gives students the chance to experience the magic of the Yuba River up close while learning about local tribes and their use of the watershed, the devastating impacts of Gold Rush-era hydraulic mining, salmon life cycles and more. As part of our water education outreach, we cover the cost of the trip for all Yuba County fourth graders through a grant to the South Yuba River Citizens League. A huge thanks to all of the educators and volunteers who make these trips a reality for our kids!
- Thanksgiving holiday – offices closed (Nov. 23-24)
- Association of California Water Agencies Fall Conference (Nov. 28-30)
- Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors meeting (Dec. 5 and 19)
- Christmas holiday – offices closed (Dec. 25-26)
- New Year’s Day – offices closed (Jan. 1)
- Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors meeting (Jan. 2 and 16)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – offices closed (Jan. 16)
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