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September 2026
Yuba Water Agency's quarterly newsletter
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Greetings,
Since our last newsletter, Yuba Water has made significant progress toward our recovery efforts following the Feb. 13 rupture of our penstock pipe above New Colgate Powerhouse. We recently wrapped up in-water sediment removal below the powerhouse, and work to stabilize the hillside continues to make sure we’re in good shape as we head into winter. We’ve also made tremendous strides in restoring the actual powerhouse itself, so that once we rebuild our penstock, we’re prepared to get back online safely, efficiently and as soon as possible.
As far as when we can repair the penstock and return to generating hydropower at Colgate, we still don’t know. The design of that project is underway and will be married up with the results of a detailed independent forensics investigation, which we expect later this fall.
In the meantime, we’re also continuing our core flood risk reduction and water supply missions. We successfully delivered irrigation water to our local agricultural partners this summer, and we’re heading into the winter months with plenty of capacity in New Bullards Bar Reservoir to capture winter storms. Our primary flood risk reduction tool – the spillway at New Bullards Bar – is also fully operational and ready for the rainy season.
We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we continue to recover and restore our facilities. You can read more about those efforts below. Thanks for staying connected with us.
-Willie
Willie Whittlesey
Yuba Water General Manager
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Yuba Water news
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Yuba Water completes in-water sediment removal below Colgate with minimal impacts to water quality
 Yuba Water last month completed in-water sediment removal below its New Colgate Powerhouse along the North Yuba River, marking a major milestone in the agency’s recovery efforts following the Feb. 13 penstock rupture. The work focused on removing sediment and debris that washed into the river channel following the penstock rupture and restoring the riverbank to its pre-incident grade with minimal impacts to water quality. Read more…
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Yuba Water awards $13.9 million contract to Hat Creek Construction for hillside stabilization above Colgate
 Yuba Water recently awarded a $13.9 million contract to Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc. for hillside and soil stabilization around the agency’s penstock pipe and New Colgate Powerhouse. The contract includes placing slope and soil stabilization materials, adding a rock buttress on the east side of the penstock to prevent further damage to the hillside and building detention basins to manage runoff from rain. Read more…
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Yuba Water introduces K-12 Yuba River watershed curriculum developed by local teachers
 Yuba Water recently unveiled a new Yuba River Watershed Curriculum, in which students can learn about flooding by studying the 1986 and 1997 floods in Yuba County, or learn chemistry by studying the waterways in their own community. Developed by dozens of Yuba County teachers over the last several years, the curriculum includes hundreds of science-based lessons, spanning from kindergarten through high school. Read more…
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Yuba Water and UC research partnership brings next-generation levee monitoring to Yuba
 A pilot research project between Yuba Water and the University of California is exploring new and novel ways to monitor the health of Yuba County’s levees and identify potential problems before they become larger maintenance issues. Using a $360,000 grant from Yuba Water awarded in 2024, researchers deployed new technologies and sensors across 18 monitoring sites in southern Yuba County. Read more…
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North Yuba Forest Partnership reaffirms commitment to forest health efforts
 The North Yuba Forest Partnership recently renewed a memorandum of understanding, reaffirming its commitment to continue improving forest health and reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfire across the North Yuba River watershed. Established in 2019, the partnership includes Yuba Water and eight other organizations focused on prioritizing, planning, funding and implementing landscape-scale forest restoration. Read more…
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Yuba Water staff come together for annual cleanup of lower Yuba River
 Each year, Yuba Water participates in the South Yuba River Citizen League’s Yuba River cleanup as a way to give a little back to the watershed we all love so much. Last Friday, our staff picked up dozens of bags worth of trash along the lower Yuba River, from tiny remnants of cigarette butts to larger items like luggage and even a car bumper. Thanks to everyone who participated in clean-ups along our rivers this year!
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Yuba Water in the news
Yuba Water featured photo
Major progress at New Colgate Powerhouse
What a difference in six months! Yuba Water wrapped up in-water sediment removal from below New Colgate Powerhouse in late August, with land-based sediment removal nearly complete. While there's still plenty of work to do, the milestone is a welcome one. See more...
The people and partnerships reducing Yuba County's flood risk and managing winter storms
You’ve likely heard about the “Super El Niño” in the forecast. While it’s still too early to know exactly what’s in store for Northern California this winter, we want to let Yuba County residents know that we’re heading into winter as we always do: prepared.
There have been significant improvements made to Yuba County's levees over the last couple of decades, along with operational changes at New Bullards Bar and Oroville to better manage flows on the Yuba and Feather rivers. Yuba Water always coordinates closely with our local, state and federal flood partners through every major storm and we practice how we’ll respond to a wide range of scenarios in advance. This video walks you through the different ways we all prepare and work together during the rainy season.
National Preparedness Month
Are you prepared for an emergency?
September is National Preparedness Month, which reinforces the importance of proactive preparation for the inevitable emergency. That applies to individuals, families and organizations alike. Visit ready.ca.gov and bepreparedyuba.org for more information, including resources and tips for emergency preparedness. Remember, a little preparation now can make a big difference when an emergency does happen!
- National Preparedness Month (Sept. 1-30)
- Yuba Water Regular Board of Directors Meeting (Oct. 6 and 20)
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Yuba County Office of Emergency Services Fall Be Prepared Fair at Eufay Wood Sr. Memorial Park* (Oct. 8)
- North Yuba Forest Partnership Community Meeting in Camptonville* (Oct. 8)
- California Flood Preparedness Week (Oct. 17–24)
- Yuba Water Regular Board of Directors Meeting (Nov. 3 and 17)
- Thanksgiving Holiday – offices closed (Nov. 26-27)
- Christmas Holiday – offices closed (Dec. 24-25)
*Indicates Yuba Water booth or outreach presence
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