|
|
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. | 
Yuba Water Agency's quarterly newsletter | June 2026
|
|
Greetings,
As many of you are likely aware, earlier this year we experienced a major rupture of our penstock pipe above New Colgate Powerhouse. The rupture released water down the hillside, causing erosion and significant damage to our powerhouse and surrounding infrastructure. It also swept debris, mud and other material into the Yuba River.
While an investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, and we have to let that play out before we rebuild, we’re still making progress cleaning up and restoring our facilities. And, despite this challenging time for our agency, we are so grateful to our staff and partners who have stepped up to tackle the enormous task of recovery with determination, professionalism and a shared commitment to moving forward.
Even with all of this work, we continue to advance our core missions of reducing flood risk, ensuring reliable water supplies for Yuba County and investing in the long-term resilience of the Yuba River watershed. Although much of this work is funded through our hydropower revenue, which is currently significantly reduced, we are still making important progress where we can. You will find updates on some of that work throughout this newsletter.
I want to emphasize that Yuba Water maintained full control over New Bullards Bar Dam throughout the incident. Bullards is our biggest and most significant flood risk reduction infrastructure, located about five miles upstream from where the incident occurred. We also continue to be able to manage flows during future storms. The dam, spillway, levees and other critical flood risk reduction infrastructure in Yuba County were not impacted by this incident.
I am deeply grateful for the support of our community throughout this recovery. We have a long road ahead, but I know we’ll get there. Together, we are restoring more than infrastructure – we’re demonstrating resilience in action to help us continue serving Yuba County for generations to come.
Thanks for reading.
Willie Whittlesey
Yuba Water General Manager
|
Yuba Water news
Colgate Powerhouse and Infrastructure Restoration
Yuba Water has dozens of projects in the works to support our cleanup and recovery following February's penstock pipe rupture. Our recovery website provides updates on major projects, key milestones, construction timelines, progress photos, frequently asked questions and other information related to ongoing cleanup and rebuilding efforts. As work continues, the website will serve as a central source for our latest updates. Read more…
More news
|
|
Potential increase in cloudy water in parts of Yuba River in coming weeks
 Yuba River recreators may notice temporarily cloudier water in the Yuba River below New Colgate Powerhouse and potentially into Englebright Lake over the next several weeks as sediment removal work begins following the penstock rupture. The sediment removal is necessary to safely restore powerhouse operations and return the river channel to normal capacity ahead of winter flows. Yuba Water is working to minimize turbidity and is increasing water quality monitoring through the removal. Read more…
|
GFT awarded contract for design and engineering to support penstock rebuild
 Yuba Water has awarded an initial $1.4 million contract to GFT Inc. for a thorough condition assessment of the current penstock and an alternatives analysis for the rebuilding effort. An estimated additional $6 million will cover detailed engineering design and support during future construction. The total cost and future schedule for that work will depend heavily on the results of the condition assessment and the independent forensics investigation, both of which are currently underway. Read more…
|
|
Nature-like Fishway project in lower Yuba River awarded to Teichert Construction
 Teichert will build the Nature-like Fishway around Daguerre Point Dam on the lower Yuba River, a multi-benefit project among Yuba Water, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Designed to resemble a natural river channel, the project will help salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon and Pacific lamprey get around the dam and access more than 10 miles of high-quality habitat. Construction is expected to begin following final permitting and environmental review. Read more…
|
Yuba Water renews support of salmon reintroduction efforts in North Yuba River
 Yuba Water recently committed an additional $500,000 to continue a pilot effort with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that reintroduces spring-run Chinook salmon into historic habitat in the upper North Yuba River watershed. The reintroduction program, now entering its second year, is helping researchers evaluate the potential for long-term salmon recovery in areas of the Yuba River watershed that have been inaccessible to migrating fish for decades. Read more...
|
|
Mussel screenings remain in effect at New Bullards Bar Reservoir
 Planning a trip to Bullards Bar Reservoir this summer? Boaters should note that mandatory invasive mussel screenings are still in effect for all motorized watercraft visiting the lake. Screenings are free and offered daily at the Cottage Creek and Dark Day boat launches from 6 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset. Screenings look for visible signs of mussels, aquatic vegetation, mud, excessive standing water or risk factors such as recent use in an infested waterway. Please be sure to completely clean, drain and dry your vessel before arriving. Read more…
|
Keeping the Salmon Expeditions experience afloat for Yuba County 4th graders
 Salmon Expeditions give local students the opportunity to raft the Yuba River while learning about salmon life cycles, the river’s ecosystems and impacts to our watershed from the Gold Rush. Following the penstock incident, Yuba Water isn’t able to fund the trips for Yuba County students this year. The Yuba County Educational Foundation, a new nonprofit created to support programs that schools cannot legally or financially cover, is now working to raise funds to continue the trips. Interested in learning more? Contact DeDe Cordell.
|
|
Yuba Water in the news
Yuba Water featured photo
Helicopter-based tree thinning in the Yuba River watershed
Several forest restoration projects (like this one, showing helicopter-based tree thinning) are kicking off this summer near Camptonville, Downieville and other parts of the North Yuba landscape, an area that stretches from New Bullards Bar Reservoir east up to the Sierra Crest along Highway 49. The work is being coordinated through the North Yuba Forest Partnership, which includes Yuba Water. Visit the partnership’s website to explore planned, active and completed projects and for dates and details on upcoming community meetings.
"The Day the Levee Broke"
Earlier this year, Yuba Water debuted “The Day the Levee Broke.” The 23-minute mini-documentary reflects on the February 1986 flood in Yuba County – 40 years later – and the progress made to reduce flood risk in the decades since. Watch it on our website or on YouTube.
*Indicates Yuba Water sponsored event or outreach presence. Note, these sponsorships were funded prior to the penstock incident.
|
|
|
|
|
