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January 2024
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A message from Yuba Water Agency General Manager Willie Whittlesey
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Greetings,
It's been a wet few weeks here in Yuba County, which is exactly what we like to see this time of year. Regular rain throughout the winter is good for water supply. We call it the Goldilocks rain – not too much, not too little – just the right amount.
And, although we hope that this Goldilocks trend continues, that's rarely how things go. It's usually more along the lines of feast or famine. That's why Yuba Water is always planning and preparing for the next big storm, or lack thereof.
Currently, New Bullards Bar Reservoir is just above its normal water storage capacity for this date, with plenty of space to capture additional storms expected in the coming days. And, thanks to continued investments in reducing flood risk by Yuba Water and our local, state and federal partners, Yuba County's levees and other critical public safety infrastructure are in great shape.
Even with our continued investments in flood control, there's always more to do. That's why we remain committed to doing everything we can to reduce flood risk in Yuba County and the broader region, from investing in key infrastructure projects to training and coordinating with our local partners.
I know for me and many of our staff, our work is more than just a job. We live and work in Yuba County, and take seriously our commitment to powering a brighter future for our communities.
Thanks for reading.
Willie Whittlesey
Yuba Water General Manager
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Yuba Water reinvests more than $35 million in hydropower revenue back into Yuba County through grants for flood risk reduction, water infrastructure improvements and more
In late December, Yuba Water committed nearly $25 million in funds through our Community Impact Grant and Loan Program to help advance dozens of projects throughout Yuba County, including critical flood risk reduction and water supply infrastructure improvements, watershed resilience work and more. The agency also approved a separate $10.4 million grant to help the county leverage additional external funds for local public works projects. [Read more]
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Yuba Water board names Jon Messick as chair and Gary Bradford as vice-chair for 2024
 At our first meeting of the year, Yuba Water’s board of directors unanimously named Jon Messick as chairman and Gary Bradford vice-chairman for 2024. Yuba Water’s seven-member governing board includes all five members of Yuba County’s Board of Supervisors, plus two at-large, elected positions representing North and South Yuba County. Our board works with the agency’s general manager to set policy and make decisions related to our missions. [Read more]
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North Yuba Water District completes Hell 4 Stout flume replacement with support from Yuba Water
 Thanks to funding approved by Yuba Water's board in December, the North Yuba Water District has successfully replaced its deteriorating Hell 4 Stout Flume with a new inverted siphon. An engineering inspection of the flume last year determined the structure would likely not survive the coming winter. The improvements increased the flume’s capacity from 22 to 38 cubic feet per second and helps ensure local water supply reliability. [Read more]
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Local agencies come together for flood-fight training in Yuba County
 More than 40 people from half a dozen local agencies came together recently to practice flood-fighting techniques in Yuba County ahead of what is already shaping up to be another wet winter. While improvements have ensured that Yuba County’s levees are among the most modern in the state, risk remains, so preparing for high-flow events and the possibility of a flood is still critical. The day-long training covered general flood fighting techniques used during high flows and floods. [Read more]
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If a flood were to happen tomorrow, would you be prepared?
 From the tip of the Yuba River watershed down to the valley floor, our agency works with many local, state and federal partners to help safeguard and prepare residents and communities for the next natural disaster. Remember, anytime you live near a levee or below a dam, there will always be some risk of flooding. Take action today to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency. Register for CodeRED emergency alerts, know your evacuation zone and have a plan. [Read more]
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Prescribed burns underway to reduce wildfire risk near New Bullards Bar and Camptonville
 Work continues to remove potential wildfire fuel on the approximately 15,000-acre Trapper Project near Camptonville. Coordinated by the North Yuba Forest Partnership, the ongoing treatments reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and safeguard communities in the Yuba River watershed. The work is possible because of an innovative financing tool known as the Forest Resilience Bond, which was created by Blue Forest and first piloted with funds from Yuba Water. [Read more]
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U.S. Forest Service names North Yuba Forest Partnership its partnership of the year
 The U.S. Forest Service recently announced its "Partnership of the Year" award was given to the North Yuba Forest Partnership for its work to advance critical forest restoration and reduce catastrophic wildfire risk throughout 275,000 acres of the Yuba River watershed. Yuba Water is a founding member of the group, which was formed in 2019 and has since leveraged more than $172 million in federal funding to implement a range of restoration projects. We're grateful for the recognition and our continued partnership!
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North Yuba Forest Partnership partner spotlight: Shelly Covert of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe
The North Yuba Forest Partnership is a nine-member group working to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the Yuba River watershed by restoring key areas across 275,000 acres of land. In our latest partnership spotlight, Shelly Covert, the spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, talks about their role in the partnership and why the time is ripe for incorporating more tribal protocols into forest treatments. [Watch the video here]
- Yuba Water Board of Directors regular meeting (Feb. 6 and 20)
- National Engineers Week (Feb. 18-24)
- Presidents Day - offices closed (Feb. 19)
- National Groundwater Awareness Week (Mar. 10-16)
- Yuba Water Board of Directors regular meeting (Mar. 5 and 19)
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