Honoring his outstanding efforts and professional achievements in civil engineering, Yuba Water Agency General Manager Curt Aikens this week received the American Society of Civil Engineers Sacramento Section 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.
This award recognizes individuals who, through their innovative efforts and long-term involvement, have advanced or significantly contributed to the field of civil engineering for the benefit of the community.
“I feel privileged to be in a position where we can make such a difference in reducing flood risk for an area that has been hit so hard by flooding in the past,” said Aikens. “We are now well on our way to being one of the best protected urban areas at risk of flooding in all of California.”
Aikens was specifically recognized for leading Yuba Water Agency’s role in reducing the flood risk for the people of Yuba County, which includes foundational planning and support for the levee improvements for the city of Marysville, and for Reclamation District 784 in the Arboga, Olivehurst and Linda areas. He was also recognized for his role in the development and operations of the Forecast-Coordinated Operations program for New Bullards Bar and Oroville Reservoir water releases, ensuring consistent communications during potential flood events to coordinate releases in an effort to prevent flooding. Additionally, the award highlighted Aikens for the initiation of the new secondary spillway project at New Bullards Bar Dam, which will significantly reduce flood risk even more, and enhance dam safety.
Aikens has worked for Yuba Water Agency for 21 years and has partnered with local levee maintaining agencies, state and federal agencies, as well as environmental organizations to successfully advance projects to reduce flood risk and significantly improve public safety for the people of Yuba County.
The ASCE Sacramento Section presented the award during its 2019 Outstanding Individual Awards Banquet on September 4, in Sacramento.
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