Faces of Yuba Water

Our Faces of Yuba Water series highlights Yuba Water Agency’s great employees and the work that they do to make Yuba County a better place. In this spotlight, we showcase Yuba Water's human resources analyst, Molly Bolar, who is respons...

Dark Day parking lot project complete, facilities open to the public

Yuba Water Agency crews and contractors have completed improvements to the Dark Day recreation area at New Bullards Bar Reservoir. 

The Dark Day boat ramp and overflow parking areas now include 80 single-vehicle parking spaces and 139 spaces for v...

Yuba Water Agency board selects 2021 chair and vice-chair, welcomes new directors

During its first meeting of the year, Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today elected the chairman and vice-chairman for calendar year 2021 and welcomed two new directors to its seven-member board. 

The board elected Director Andy Vasquez to ...

Yuba Water receives $2.8 million for Yuba River habitat restoration, discusses economic development

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors passed a resolution today to receive a grant worth more than $2.8 million from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for habitat restoration and flood risk reduction work on the lower Yuba River. T...

North Yuba Forest Partnership receives $1.13 million for forest health

The North Yuba Forest Partnership has entered into an agreement to receive $1.13 million to plan future forest health and wildfire resilience treatments within the North Yuba River watershed. This funding originated from the US Forest Service’s Fireshed P...

Yuba Water invests approx. $1M to reduce flood risk, improve water quality and help first responders

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today approved approximately $1 million in grants for flood risk reduction, water quality improvements and emergency response equipment. 

$910,000 - Yuba County water quality projects

A $910,000 gran...

Yuba Water Agency sues California water board to protect its future, the Yuba River and Yuba County

Yuba Water Agency filed lawsuits in both federal and state court today to challenge the water quality certification that California’s State Water Resources Control Board issued in July for Yuba Water’s new license for its hydroelectric...

Appeal-Democrat Guest View: Yuba Water’s investments are critical to the future of our communities

By Marni Sanders, Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce CEO

Yuba Water Agency is an incredible asset to Yuba County and our region. The vision laid out more than 60 year ago by the founders of Yuba Water was intended to position Yuba County to be a thriving and ...

Yuba Water Agency funds drinking water infrastructure repairs for foothill residents

Yuba Water Agency took action today to improve water supply reliability for Camptonville residents.

A $56,000 grant, approved today by Yuba Water’s board of directors, provides necessary funding for the Camptonville Community Services District to...

Yuba-Feather Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations

Despite its reputation for year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, California has one of the most varied climates in the United States.

For Yuba County and neighboring Sutter, these variations have manifested most notably in catastrophic flooding from t...

New campsites at New Bullards Bar nearing completion

While summer has come to an end, work to further enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in the Yuba County foothills has quickly ramped up.

Ten brand new campsites with breathtaking views are nearing completion at Yuba Water Agency’s New Bullards Bar Dam...

Yuba Water supports ongoing forest restoration efforts to benefit foothill communities, watershed

Californians are all too aware that the next wildfire could happen at any time. And in many parts of the state, the threat of catastrophic wildfire persists year-round. Unfortunately, Yuba County isn’t any different in that respect.

To help reduc...

Yuba Water invests more than $1.25 million in community projects

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today approved more than $1.25 million in grants and a low-interest loan for flood risk reduction, water infrastructure, water quality improvements, fish habitat and emergency water rescue equipment.

&ld...

Potential site for future water education center identified

Riverfront land just outside of Marysville may be the future home of Yuba Water Agency’s planned Watershed Experience Center.

Today, the board of directors voted to move forward with preliminary environmental work to determine the feasibility of ...

Crews replace key piece of hydro equipment in a matter of days despite unexpected obstacles

Yuba Water Agency is one step closer to ramping up operations of its recently acquired Narrows 1 hydroelectric power generation facility after the agency’s maintenance and engineering crews replaced a leaky stand pipe, which is a crucial part of...

Yuba Water funds water supply and flood risk reduction projects, education and rescue equipment

Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors today committed more than $2.2 million in grants for Yuba River-focused water education, water supply improvements, flood risk reduction and swift water rescue equipment. 

South Yuba River Citizens ...

Stepping up to support California’s energy crisis

By Willie Whittlesey, general manager of Yuba Water Agency

Between the heat and the rolling blackouts, I’m sure you’ve figured out that we are seeing record breaking demand on California’s electrical system this week. At Yuba ...

Yuba Water Responds to State Water Board Water Quality Certification

On August 14, 2020, Yuba Water Agency submitted a petition for reconsideration with the State Water Resources Control Board asking the board to vacate the certification it issued on July 17 related to the relicensing of the Yuba River Development Project.

Yuba Water advances major flood risk reduction project at New Bullards Bar

MARYSVILLE, Calif. (July 24, 2020) – Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors Thursday authorized staff to move forward with a new design of an estimated $225 million secondary spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam, marking an important step ...

Yuba Water approves nearly $14 million for water supply, infrastructure improvements, and more

Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors today committed approximately $14 million in grants and loans for water infrastructure upgrades, levee maintenance and Yuba County’s annual California Public Employees’ Retirement System...

Yuba Water welcomes new General Manager Willie Whittlesey

Today marks Willie Whittlesey’s first day as Yuba Water Agency’s new general manager. Whittlesey takes the reins from Curt Aikens, who will retire early next year.

“It’s an honor to lead such an incredible agency and...

Yuba Water funds levee improvements and conservation projects, says farewell to longtime GM

Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors today committed $785,000 for levee improvements, water conservation and other Yuba County water projects in support of its core mission areas of flood risk reduction and sustainable water supply management....

Appeal-Democrat Guest View: Once again, Yuba Water Agency invests in our future in a big way

By Mary Jane Griego

For decades, we’ve talked about the need for implementing modern infrastructure to the Highway 65 corridor in order to make new development there possible. My vision for the area seemed impossible to achieve. The ability to de...

Yuba Water employees give back during unprecedented time of need

Donating blood, offering monetary donations, organizing food drives and coordinating behind the scenes – these are just a few of the ways Yuba Water Agency employees have given back to their communities during the coronavirus crisis.

Over the las...

Yuba Water Agency approves $3.5 million for major water infrastructure in southeastern Yuba County

Major infrastructure upgrades that will significantly improve economic development opportunities in Yuba County and help ensure groundwater quality are in the works with the help of Yuba Water Agency. 

Yuba Water today approved a $1.75 million gra...

Comstock's Magazine: Storm Chasers by Russell Nichols

One rainy morning last December, John James stood outside holding a big white balloon, which looked like a perfect target for a lightning strike. Next to him, Carly Ellis, a field researcher with the UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography, asked...

$2.2 million in funds for fish habitat, infrastructure and water supply reliability improvements

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors approved today more than $2.2 million for local and regional improvement projects. The funding will contribute to repairs at Ellis Lake and roads around New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir, support local irrigation ...

Yuba Water Agency makes large-scale investment in water education for Yuba County schools

In its first major move toward building a water education center and developing unique lessons to enhance Yuba County schools, Yuba Water Agency today approved approximately $850,000 toward the community-driven effort. 

The board approved a two-pa...

PG&E sells Narrows hydroelectric facility to Yuba Water Agency

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has sold its Narrows Hydroelectric Project to Yuba Water Agency.

Escrow closed and the sale finalized today on this facility in Nevada County, which includes the 12-megawatt Narrows No. 1 Powerhouse located on th...

Operations Update

If you see us around Yuba County, it is because we fall under three categories of critical infrastructure, including the dams, energy and water sectors. We also support the agricultural community through water deliveries, also considered essential service...

Offices and Conference Rooms Closed to the Public

For the safety of our employees and the public, and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, our offices and conference rooms will be closed to the public until further notice. If you need assistance, please call our main phone line at (530)741-5000.

Yuba Water Agency funds water supply improvements, water education

Significant water supply improvements are in the works for the Museum of the Forgotten Warriors with the help of Yuba Water Agency.

The agency today approved a grant, worth up to $3,100, for two new water pressure tanks that will help deliver water from th...

Yuba Water Agency provides grants to four local agencies

Four local agencies received a financial boost today with the help of Yuba Water Agency.

Yuba County inundation mapping - $65,000

A $65,000 grant provides funding for Yuba County to procure flood and levee inundation maps and associated products, providing ...

Yuba Water General Manager Curt Aikens announces retirement; Willie Whittlesey takes reins July 1

After 23 years of dedicated service to Yuba Water Agency, General Manager Curt Aikens will retire in January of 2021.                         &...

Yuba Water Agency adopts Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Yuba County’s groundwater subbasins have been sustainably managed for decades, and with 80 percent of Yuba’s residents relying on groundwater as their sole source, it’s critical that it remain sustainable for the long-term. W...

Grants help local first-responder agencies purchase new emergency response equipment

Two local fire departments will be better equipped to respond to water-related emergencies along the Yuba River with the help of funding from Yuba Water Agency.

Marysville Fire Department - $100,000

This $100,000 grant will provide half of the funding neede...

Yuba Water Agency funds project to improve Wheatland drinking water system

A more efficient water system that will improve the city of Wheatland’s drinking water supply is in the works with the help of a grant from Yuba Water Agency. 

The $700,000 grant, approved today by the agency board, provides funds for th...

Video Spotlight: Yuba Water Agency Hydropower Operations

Yuba Water Agency's Yuba River Development Project includes a modern series of dams and hydropower facilities capable of generating up to 412 megawatts of carbon-free energy, which is enough to supply more than 400,000 homes throughout California.&nbs...