News Flash

Local water providers urge water conservation in Yuba and Sutter Counties

Yuba Water Agency and local water providers are urging residents to conserve water as drought conditions deepen throughout the region.

“Yuba County is in a better position than many other parts of the state because of the availability of groundwa...

Cottage Creek Campground at New Bullards Bar now open, accepting reservations

The new Cottage Creek Campground at New Bullards Bar Reservoir is now open to the public and accepting reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Cottage Creek Campground, located above the dam and Emerald Cove Marina, includes nine ca...

Yuba Water, Yuba County offering loaner life jackets at New Bullards Bar and Lake Francis

To further promote recreation and water safety, Yuba Water Agency has partnered with Yuba County to establish the Life Jacket Loaner Program. 

Four loaner stations have been installed at New Bullards Bar Reservoir and Lake Francis to increase the ...

Yuba Water pledges $6.5 million to community projects in Yuba County

Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors today approved $6.5 million for a range of projects to improve public safety and enhance the quality of life for Yuba County residents.

This is the first group of grants approved by Yuba Water since adoption...

Yuba Water Agency provides $2 million loan for Goldfields flood risk reduction work

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today approved a $2 million loan to the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority to complete the construction of a new levee near the Yuba Goldfields that will bring a 200-year level of urban flood protecti...

Yuba Water employees visit Yuba County preparatory school, discuss careers in water industry

Last month, Yuba Water Agency employees Kaitlyn Chow, Creighton Avila and Jackie Sillman visited Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter School’s Aquaponics Department to discuss with students potential career paths in the water industry and how ...

Yuba Water’s executive advisor and former power systems manager Mike Kline to retire

Yuba Water Agency Executive Advisor Mike Kline is retiring this month after 10 years with the agency and more than 40 years working in hydroelectric operations and engineering.

Kline was recognized during Yuba Water’s April 20 board of directors meeting fo...

Yuba Water and Scripps Institution of Oceanography partner to bring weather station to local school

Browns Valley Elementary students now have the opportunity to contribute to science and weather forecasts in their watershed thanks to a new monitoring station installed at the school by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego with support...

High flows, cold water expected below Englebright Lake to Marysville through May 16

Flows on the lower Yuba River from Englebright Lake to Marysville will increase significantly this week as instream flow and irrigation demands pick up for the season. The public should use caution when recreating on the lower Yuba River for their safety ...

Recent snow surveys confirm another dry water year ahead for Yuba River watershed

Despite a series of storms earlier this year and a snowpack visible from the valley floor, California is on track for another dry water year. That’s according to recent snow surveys by local and state agencies and various forecast models.

&ld...

Stretch of lower Yuba River closing to watercraft for habitat enhancement work

More than one mile of the north channel of the lower Yuba River will be closed to all watercraft starting April 1 through early December for habitat enhancement work as part of Yuba Water Agency’s Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration...

Yuba Water invests nearly $2 million in flood risk reduction and water infrastructure projects

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today approved several grants and matching loans to advance critical flood risk reduction work and water infrastructure improvements in Yuba County.

Reducing flood risk for communities near lower Yuba River

A $400,000 ...

Cordua Irrigation District joins historic Lower Yuba River Accord

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today approved an agreement that adds the Cordua Irrigation District to the historic Lower Yuba River Accord, a model water management agreement that supports endangered salmon and steelhead, ensures water supplies f...

Yuba Water commits $6.5 million to improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors took bold action today to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and advance landscape-scale forest restoration in the Yuba River watershed.

In two separate actions, the board approved $6.5 million in fund...

International Day of Women and Girls in Science highlights shared experiences, value of internships

Celebrated each year on February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science was created by the United Nations to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology and to promote equal access and participation in science, ...

Atmospheric rivers bring rain, snow and research opportunities

Over the course of the past week, Scripps Institution of Oceanography field teams successfully launched a series of weather balloons throughout Northern California to monitor the season’s first series of significant atmospheric river events.

Data...

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.

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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...