News Flash

Yuba Water grant will upgrade aging water delivery infrastructure to improve reliability

Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors today committed $200,000 to help the North Yuba Water District upgrade a deteriorating wooden flume that delivers water for residential and agricultural use in the Yuba County foothills. The funds will cove...

Yuba Water honors Bill Shaw, namesake of local public safety grants and provides funds for drainage

Six years ago, Yuba Water Agency employee Bill Shaw was involved in a catastrophic accident at work. After Shaw recovered and returned to work, he wanted to find a way to give back to the first responders who saved his life.

Today, the Bill Shaw Rescue Equ...

Yuba Water saves Yuba County more than $400,000 with loan to pre-pay pension obligations and more

Yuba County will save about $400,000 over the next year thanks to a $9 million low-interest loan from Yuba Water Agency to help cover the county’s annual payment to the California Public Employees' Retirement System.

Yuba Water has helpe...

More Yuba County fourth graders to learn about salmon and the Yuba River watershed

Even more Yuba County fourth graders will have the opportunity to participate in the South Yuba River Citizens League’s Salmon Expedition tours this fall, thanks to a grant from Yuba Water Agency.

“The word is out about this incredible ...

Yuba Water wins prestigious Silver Anvil Award

Yuba Water Agency has received a Silver Anvil, the highest award given by the Public Relations Society of America for strategic campaigns, for its campaign commemorating 25 years since the New Year’s flood of 1997 in Yuba County.

“The &...

Upper Rose Bar Restoration Project will expand habitat in lower Yuba River

The Wildlife Conservation Board recently awarded the South Yuba River Citizens League $4,081,000 for a cooperative project with Yuba Water Agency that will enhance and restore 43 acres of habitat for salmon and other wildlife in the lower Yuba River. The ...

CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, Yuba Water and City of Wheatland establish research agreement

Cutting-edge research is coming to Yuba County, thanks to a new partnership formed by Yuba Water Agency, the City of Wheatland and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS).

A memorandum of...

Yuba Water to break ground on new site in Oregon House

Yuba Water Agency will soon break ground on its new Power Systems administration building and associated facilities on Marysville Road in Oregon House. Construction is expected to kick off in late May, with completion by spring 2025.

Located at 8897 Marysv...

Yuba Water grants will boost water supply reliability, support flood risk reduction and more

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors today committed approximately $3.6 million to support efforts to reduce catastrophic flood risk, improve water supply reliability, education and public safety in Yuba County. The funds were awarded as part of the a...

Yuba Water taking action to repair sinkhole on Ostrom Road

Yuba Water Agency is implementing emergency repairs to Ostrom Road between Virginia Road and South Beale Road in Yuba County after a culvert that ran under the road failed, causing a sinkhole. The repair is expected to take six to eight weeks and will req...

South Yuba River Citizens League names Yuba Water its Partner of the Year

Yuba Water was recently recognized as South Yuba River Citizens League’s Partner of the Year for its support of efforts including forest health, habitat restoration on the lower Yuba River and water education.

Yuba Water and SYRCL are both founding members...

Earth Day 2023: reaffirming our commitment to the Yuba River watershed

By Willie Whittlesey, Yuba Water’s general manager

“Invest in our planet” is this year’s Earth Day theme for the second year in a row. And for a good reason. Strategic investments are essential to turn plans into action.

At Yuba Water Agency, investing in t...

Yuba Water partners with county on proposed project to improve drainage in Olivehurst

Yuba County press release

Yuba Water will help cover just over 20 percent of an approximately $37 million proposed Yuba County project to improve drainage in Olivehurst and add new sidewalks, bicycle lanes and improved transit stops. The funds committed by...

Tahoe National Forest commits $117 million to reduce wildfire risk on North Yuba Landscape

U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest press release

To help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, promote fire adapted communities and improve forest health, Tahoe National Forest is providing National Forest Foundation $117 million to im...

Yuba Water discusses water supply conditions, approves funding for local hydro improvements and more

Water supply in Yuba County is in excellent condition. That was one of the key takeaways from today’s Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors meeting.

"After three very dry years, Yuba County’s water supply is in fantastic shape this year, thanks to the ...

Yuba Water certified as Yuba County's first Blue Zones Project Approved worksite

Blue Zones Project^® - Yuba Sutter has announced that Yuba Water Agency has achieved designation as Yuba County’s first Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite. Yuba Water completed the approval process at its three primary worksites by formalizing several h...

Yuba Water unveils plans and priorities for future flood risk reduction work

Today, the Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors received an in-depth presentation on the agency’s recently-completed Flood Risk Management Plan, which outlines and prioritizes future flood risk reduction projects and efforts. 

”This plan is about ...

Video: Yuba Water Agency releases water from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir

On March 8, Yuba Water began releasing water from New Bullards Bar to make room in the reservoir for anticipated inflows and snowmelt expected from the incoming storms. This video shows us ramping up releases to approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second.

Yuba Water Agency to begin releasing water from New Bullards Bar ahead of upcoming storms

In anticipation of the upcoming storms, Yuba Water Agency will begin releasing water from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir on Wednesday, Mar. 8 to ensure the reservoir has enough room to store flows and snowmelt expected in the coming days.

Starting at 9...

Board receives update on flood risk reduction efforts, approves funding for levee work and more

Today, Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors received an in-depth update on the agency’s current and planned flood risk reduction projects and approved funding for additional flood risk reduction and water supply reliability efforts in Yuba County.

“Thank...

Yuba Water Agency remembers former general manager Donn Wilson

Current and former board members and staff of Yuba Water are saddened to learn of the recent passing of the agency’s former engineer-administrator, Donn Wilson, who oversaw the agency from 1987 until his retirement in 2000. He was 89 years old.

“Donn was e...

Yuba Water board votes on 2023 chair and vice chair, welcomes new directors

During its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 3, the Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors unanimously selected Gary Bradford as chairman and Don Blaser as vice-chairman for the 2023 calendar year. The board also welcomed Wayne Bishop and Jon Messick as...

Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors adopts new five-year strategic plan

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors has approved a new strategic plan to guide the agency’s decision-making and investments over the next five years.

“This plan is the result of many hours of work by both this board and agency staff and is a comprehen...

Yuba Water recognizes board director Brent Hastey for his dedicated service to the agency

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors recognized Brent Hastey today for his dedicated service to the agency. Hastey served on Yuba Water’s board from 1993-2001 as a Yuba County supervisor and from 2015 as an elected representative of South Yu...

Yuba Water approves grants for water supply improvements, watershed resilience and more

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors today committed more than $1 million in grant funding to support water supply reliability, watershed resilience, flood risk reduction and first responder agencies in Yuba County. 

A summary of each grant is...

Adapting to California’s “weather whiplash” with Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations

Blog by Yuba Water Director of Resource Planning John James, featured on the Northern California Water Association's website

California already has one of the most variable climates in the United States, and it’s getting more extreme. 

Our “weather...

New Bear River Setback Levee reduces flood risk for Wheatland residents

After a decade of planning and two years of construction, a new-and-improved setback levee was recently completed along the Bear River west of the City of Wheatland. The new levee is a critical step toward achieving the Federal Emergency Management Agency...

Tahoe National Forest seeks public input on North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project

Yuba Water Agency is excited to support Tahoe National Forest in sharing that its draft environmental impact statement for the North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project is now available for public review and comment. Through fuels reduction efforts, includi...

Yuba Water invests $9 million to reduce flood risk and improve climate resilience in Yuba County

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors today approved a $9 million grant to support a series of levee improvements in South Yuba County. 

The funding could potentially leverage state and federal dollars for a total investment of $41.6 million in...

Yuba Water extends agreement to transfer water to Bay Area agencies

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors today voted to extend a water transfer agreement with Contra Costa Water District and East Bay Municipal Utility District to potentially sell up to 10,000 acre-feet of water or more, if conditions allow, during the...

Yuba Water approves more than $4.2 million for south county infrastructure and forest biomass plant

MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Oct. 18, 2022) – Yuba Water Agency today approved more than $4.2 million in funding to support a major water and wastewater infrastructure expansion project in south Yuba County and a planned forest biomass plant and business center in...

Yuba Water issues $14.4 million short-term loan to front Yuba County’s pension obligations and more

Yuba County will save more than $315,000 over the next year with the help of a $14.4 million low interest loan from Yuba Water Agency to pre-pay the county’s annual California Public Employees' Retirement System payment.

“Yuba Water has carefully managed i...

Yuba Water issues $14.4 million short-term loan to front Yuba County’s pension obligations and more

Yuba County will save more than $315,000 over the next year with the help of a $14.4 million low interest loan from Yuba Water Agency to pre-pay the county’s annual California Public Employees' Retirement System payment.

“Yuba Water has carefully managed i...

City of Wheatland kicks off $1.36 million comprehensive drinking water project

Today, Yuba Water Agency joined the City of Wheatland for the installation of a new water meter during the groundbreaking ceremony for a comprehensive drinking water project. 

To ensure the community has enough water to make it through increasingl...

Yuba Water commits up to $17.4 million for water infrastructure, water supply management and more

Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors today committed up to $17.4 million in grant funding to support water supply management, watershed resilience, water education and flood risk reduction in Yuba County. 

“These grants support a wide variety of...

Yuba Fire Safe Council awarded approximately $1.5 million for fuels reduction project

The Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council was recently awarded approximately $1.5 million from Cal Fire to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve public safety for communities in the Yuba County foothills. 

The funds will b...

Water agencies unveil mural near State Capitol encouraging Californians to save water

With support from water service providers statewide, a new mural in downtown Sacramento is encouraging Californians to save water as the drought continues. Called the California Water Wall, the mural is an enduring reminder that saving water is a of life.

Yuba Water premieres “The Tricky Yuba” documentary, tells a story of courage and perseverance

Yuba Water honored as Champion for the Environment by Sacramento Business Journal

Yuba Water Agency today was honored as the Sacramento Business Journal’s 2022 Champion for Environmental Preservation and Sustainability for its measurable commitments and efforts to improve the health of the Yuba River watershed and support Yub...

North Yuba Forest Partnership awarded $34.8 million for forest work in Yuba River watershed

The North Yuba Forest Partnership is set to receive millions in federal funding to support the implementation of forest restoration treatments in the North Yuba River watershed, which will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve the overall h...

North Yuba Forest Partnership gains national support for forest resilience work in Yuba watershed

Yesterday, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced the North Yuba River watershed as one of the 10 initial landscapes funded for the U.S. Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire...

Yuba Water Board Director Brent Hastey honored for service to ACWA

Yuba Water Agency Board Director Brent Hastey was honored today by the Association of California Water Agencies for his distinguished and dedicated service to ACWA, the country’s largest statewide coalition of public water agencies.

“Yu...

Yuba Water removes hazardous trees impacted by bark beetles around Lake Francis

This week, Yuba Water Agency’s work to remove 284 dead and dying hazardous trees around Lake Francis is expected to wrap up, which will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and help slow the spread of a bark beetle infestation, as well as be...

Yuba Water approves $240,000 for Fire Safe Council to help reduce wildfire risk in foothills

The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors today approved a local cost-share grant worth up to $240,000 for the Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve public safety for communities in the Yuba...

Yuba Water board selects 2022 chair and vice-chair

MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2022) – At its first meeting of the new year today, Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors elected the new chair and vice-chair to lead the seven-member board in 2022.

Gary Bradford will serve as chairman and Randy Fletcher will...

Marking 25 Years Since the New Year’s Flood Of 1997: What’s Changed and Where We Are Today

This story was originally published in Adobe Spark. Read the story with visuals.

On December 31, 1996, Yuba Water Agency Director Brent Hastey and his wife, Alisan, were enjoying a quiet evening at home with their four young children. Two days later, their...

Yuba Water approves agreement to transfer water to Bay Area agencies in 2022

Yuba Water Agency’s board of directors today voted to authorize a water transfer agreement with Contra Costa Water District and East Bay Municipal Utility District, to sell at least 10,000 acre-feet of water, and potentially more, if the conditi...

Yuba Groundwater Sustainability Plan formally approved by Department of Water Resources

The California Department of Water Resources today formally approved the groundwater sustainability plan for the North and South Yuba groundwater subbasins in Yuba County. The plan was developed by Yuba Water Agency in coordination with Cordua Irrigation ...

Yuba Water commits more than $1.4 million to water education, water management and more

Today, Yuba Water Agency’s Board of Directors committed more than $1.4 million in grants and loans to support flood risk reduction, water supply, watershed resilience, water education, water conservation and public safety in Yuba County.

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Hallwood fish habitat project already showing signs of success

As work to enhance the lower Yuba River ecosystem and reduce flood risk continues, initial reports show that fish are already using the habitat restored as part of the 157-acre Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project.

New Forest Resilience Bond will finance $25 million of restoration to reduce wildfire risk

World Resources Institute, Blue Forest, National Forest Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Yuba Water Agency and the North Yuba Forest Partnership are pleased to announce the launch of the second Forest Resilience Bond (FRB): the Yuba II FRB. The new FRB on...

SYRCL’s Salmon Expeditions serve more students

Written by the South Yuba River Citizens League

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) resumed Salmon Expeditions for grade school students from Nevada and Yuba counties after a year away from the river.

SYRCL has worked with schools to implement COVI...

Yuba Water Receives Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters Award

ATLANTA (October 22, 2021) – The National Hydropower Association today announced Yuba Water Agency’s Watershed Resilience Program received the 2021 Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters Award in the category of Recreational, Environmental & Histori...

Yuba Water recognized for its leadership in Yuba River watershed education

Yuba Water Agency has received a distinguished contribution award from the California Association of Science Educators (CASE) for its Yuba River watershed curriculum project. The project is the cornerstone of the agency’s broader watershed education progr...

U.S. Forest Service Releases Notice of Intent for the North Yuba Landscape Resiliency Project

Nevada City, CA – On September 16, the U.S. Forest Service released its Notice of Intent (NOI) for the North Yuba Landscape Resiliency Project, the purpose and need of which was developed in collaboration with the North Yuba Forest Partnership (NYFP), a d...

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 of its ne...

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...