The Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors unanimously voted Tuesday to grant staff the necessary flexibility to quickly execute contracts related to the recovery efforts at the Colgate Powerhouse site. This decision aims to expedite ongoing clean-up and prepare the area for the upcoming winter season, following a penstock rupture in February.
The February 13 penstock incident displaced more than 60,000 cubic yards of sediment and debris, causing extensive environmental damage along the Yuba River. Since then, an estimated 50,000 yards of material has been removed from the site, as YWA Associate Engineer Aaron Taylor told the Board, calling it "a pretty substantial amount."
Bonnie Mettler, a Yuba Water Agency public information officer, explained that staff are committed to due diligence in pursuing public contracts whenever possible despite the need for flexibility. She detailed that any collected sediment is delivered to one of five dump sites located on agency-owned property surrounding the powerhouse. These sites were chosen for their proximity to minimize long hauling and reduce impacts on local neighbors. Four sites were prepped, though only three were ultimately needed. These sites are currently undergoing compaction and stabilization, after which native plants will be introduced. All material deposited is from the incident area, with no imported material.
Earlier this month, the agency completed in-water sediment removal below the powerhouse along the North Yuba River. Keane Sommers, YWA Director of Power Systems, emphasized the team's "outstanding job on this emergency sediment removal," noting the uncharted territory of the in-water work and the adaptive management throughout the project to restore the river's original grade with minimal water quality impacts.
The agency's immediate priority is now to prepare the area around Colgate for colder weather. This includes hydro-seeding, an erosion control method involving spraying binding agents into the soil to stabilize slopes and prevent future erosion and runoff into the powerhouse and the Yuba River. Hydro-seeding is planned for "probably next month" and is part of broader efforts, Bonnie Mettler explained. Other work involves re-grading steep slopes eroded by the incident, installing erosion control mats, and restoring natural drainage areas to manage stormwater this winter. According to Mettler, the effort to remove all sediment is "nearly complete." She clarified that the current focus is securing the area as efficiently and effectively as possible in preparation for winter. Significant progress has also been made in rebuilding Lake Francis Road, restoring the powerhouse, and advancing engineering and design work for the penstock repairs.
The agency anticipates bringing an updated adjusted budget to its board of directors in the "next few months." Bonnie Mettler affirmed Yuba Water's commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency, stating that the recovery costs are being covered through financial reserves, which the agency has built over the past decade for such emergencies. As a wholesale power generator, Yuba Water does not rely on ratepayers or taxpayers to fund these recovery efforts.
Yuba Water Board Member Gary Bradford expects the financial update meeting to occur in the "next few months." He stated that a clearer understanding of the full recovery cost and timeline will emerge once the results of an independent forensics investigation are released later this year. While recovery efforts are proceeding where possible, some aspects depend on identifying the incident's cause. Bradford noted minimal damage to the power generation infrastructure, apart from the penstock itself, and acknowledged the scope of the recovery work. He expressed appreciation for staff efforts and the agency's ability to navigate the situation due to its fiscal responsibility and prudent reserve policy, despite having to pause community investments. He expressed confidence that the agency would recover and return to making significant investments in Yuba County.
