News Flash

Yuba Water partners with state and federal agencies on ambitious Yuba River restoration effort

A framework agreement announced this week between Yuba Water Agency and state and federal agencies details one of the most ambitious watershed recovery efforts in California, which will also safeguard water supplies from the Yuba River for decades to come...

Faces of Yuba Water - Hydro Operator

Yuba Water's hydro operator, Tim Warta, is part of the team that is responsible for monitoring and operating the agency’s hydroelectric power generation facilities and flood risk reduction infrastructure. Learn more about Tim, his essen...

Faces of Yuba Water - Licensing Manager

Yuba Water's licensing manager, Ethan Koenigs, is responsible for helping the agency secure, retain and manage its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses, which are required to operate facilities related to hydroelectric power generation operations...

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 ...

Faces of Yuba Water - Power Systems Administrative Assistant

Yuba Water Agency's power systems administrative assistant, Vangie Bushnell, is responsible for supporting employees who work at the agency's hydroelectric powerhouses. This includes everything from ordering large items for the power and...

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 ...

Faces of Yuba Water - Information Systems Analyst

Yuba Water's information systems analyst, Luke Gerney, characterizes himself as a detective for the agency's computer problems. He ensures hundreds of computer systems are performing at the highest standard, troubleshoots any issues that arise and more.

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...

Faces of Yuba Water - Administrative Technician

Yuba Water Agency's administrative technician, Terry Peterson, actively supports the agency's employees to help make their jobs easier. This includes handling simple requests like arranging details for a meeting, to assisting in planning...

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...

North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project final environmental impact statement published

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

The Tahoe National Forest today announced the public release of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) and draft record of decision (ROD) for the North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project (NYL...

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...

Faces of Yuba Water - Engineering Technologist

Yuba Water's engineering technologist, Kelly Sapp, is responsible for maintaining, organizing and updating drawings related to the agency's facilities and projects. Learn more about Kelly's position, her background and what she enjoys in her free time.

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 ...

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...

Faces of Yuba Water - Environmental Specialist

Yuba Water Agency's environmental specialist, Jessica Nichols, ensures that the agency's projects meet regional, state and federal environmental compliance requirements, which requires staying up-to-date on current environmental regulato...

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...

Faces of Yuba Water - Information Systems Network Administrator

Yuba Water Agency's information systems network administrator, Tyler Byrd, is responsible for ensuring that all of the agency's computers, cell phones and servers are able to communicate with each other, as well as providing support to f...

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...

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...

Faces of Yuba Water - Staff Accountant

In this spotlight, we showcase Yuba Water's staff accountant who is part of the team that ensures the agency remains in sound financial standing, which also includes making sure that employees get paid on time and handling their retirement contributions.

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...

Faces of Yuba Water - Plant Mechanic

In this spotlight, we showcase Yuba Water's plant mechanic who fabricates, maintains and repairs equipment and components associated with Yuba Water's hydroelectric power generation and flood risk reduction facilities.

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...