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 our accounting supervisor, who helps keep financial operations running smo...

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...

Yuba Water Agency elects Randy Fletcher as chairman, Brent Hastey as vice-chairman

Directors Randy Fletcher and Brent Hastey will serve as Yuba Water Agency’s chairman and vice-chairman for the next year. 

The board of directors today approved their appointment for 2020. 

“It is an honor to be able to serve the community...

Yuba Water partners with Scripps, DWR on new atmospheric river research

Atmospheric river storms provide approximately half of California’s annual precipitation, but also are the cause of more than 90 percent of the floods in Northern California, resulting in staggering financial costs.

Those costs are all too famili...

Yuba Water Agency helps fund water supply reliability, flood risk reduction projects, new equipment

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

Olivehurst Public Utility District steel water main project - $1.4 million

A $1.4 million grant provides funding to help OPUD replace the steel water main it...

Innovative partnership to reduce wildfire risk and secure healthier, more resilient forests

MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Nov 7, 2019) – A diverse group of nine organizations announced today their commitment to prioritize, plan, and execute forest restoration on an unprecedented scale in the North Yuba River watershed, covering 275,000 acres of ...

New flood risk reduction and dam safety enhancements underway at New Bullards Bar

Yuba Water Agency is embarking on the largest project its undertaken to reduce flood risk since the building of New Bullards Bar Dam in the 1960s. 

The agency expects to fully implement three major programs and projects in the next six years, whic...

Yuba Water celebrates 60 years of reducing flood risk in Yuba County

Reducing flood risk for the people of Yuba County was the single most important motivation for the creation of Yuba Water Agency.

This year, the agency celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of reducing flood risk, generating carbon-free ener...

Yuba Water Agency approves grant for project to provide reliable, safe drinking water

Residents in Challenge, Rackerby, Brownsville and Forbestown will have a more reliable, safe drinking water supply with the help of funding from Yuba Water Agency. 

The grant, worth up to $225,725, was approved today by the water agency and provid...

Grant helps local fire department purchase new swift-water rescue equipment

The City of Marysville Fire Department will be better equipped to respond to water-related emergencies with the help of funding from Yuba Water Agency. 

As part of the Bill Shaw Rescue Equipment and Training Grant Program, Yuba Water today approve...

Grant helps Yuba County Sheriff's Department purchase safety equipment

The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department marijuana eradication team will be better protected with the help of Yuba Water Agency’s Bill Shaw Rescue Equipment and Training Grant Program.

A $5,000 grant, approved today by Yuba Water Agency, wi...

Video Spotlight: Meet Yuba Water's New General Manager

On July 1, 2020, Willie Whittlesey took the reins from longtime general manager Curt Aikens. Learn more about Whittlesey and some of the big-ticket items that he is looking forward to in the near future.

Learn more...