Last updated March 24, 2026

On Feb. 13, 2026, Yuba Water Agency experienced a major rupture of its 14-foot-diameter penstock pipe above New Colgate Powerhouse along the North Yuba River in Dobbins, California. The rupture released approximately 400-acre feet of water down the hillside, causing erosion and significant damage to Yuba Water’s New Colgate Powerhouse and several switchyards, as well as Lake Francis Road.

As a result of the damage to New Colgate Powerhouse and the penstock, the powerhouse will not be able to generate electricity for the foreseeable future, potentially a few years. Restoring our infrastructure and returning to service is a top priority.

The Colgate Powerhouse and Infrastructure Restoration Project represents Yuba Water’s commitment to rebuilding and demonstrating resilience in action. There are many different individual projects that make up the overall recovery effort. Key projects include:

• Determining the cause of the penstock rupture
• Repairing Lake Francis Road
• Stabilizing the hillside above the powerhouse
• Rebuilding the penstock
• Restoring the powerhouse
• Removing sediment from the Yuba River
• And much more

Yuba Water appreciates the patience and support of the local community as this work continues. Restoring the site will take time, but our team is committed to transparent communication and steady progress as we move forward.

Yuba Water is working with a team of forensic engineers to investigate the cause of the penstock rupture. We are simultaneously moving forward in the early stages of efforts to rebuild the penstock (contracting and planning), so that we are ready to begin design as soon as we have a clear determination of the cause of the rupture.

Yuba Water awarded a contract to Yuba County-based Nordic Industries to repair portions of Lake Francis Road that were washed out and damaged by the penstock rupture and subsequent erosion. Crews are actively working to restore the road to enable safe access to the powerhouse in a phased approach, focusing on restoring utility vehicle access first, then four-wheel-drive truck access and eventually returning the road to normal service.

Lake Francis Road remains closed to the public beyond the last residence while work continues.

Progress on Lake Francis Road repairs from Feb. 23-Mar. 12, 2026.

In addition to the road repairs, the entire slope needs to be stabilized in order to ensure a safe and secure platform for the investigation, and then for rebuilding the penstock.

Yuba Water is actively working on removing mud and sediment from the deck above New Colgate Powerhouse and cleaning and restoring the inside of the powerhouse. The debris and sediment on the deck of the powerhouse is estimated to be greater than 13 feet deep in places – approximately 11,000 cubic yards. While there was extensive damage, the interior of the powerhouse was not fully inundated by water or mudslides.

Progress on mud and sediment removal from New Colgate Powerhouse from Feb. 14-Mar. 12, 2026.

The erosion of the hillside during the incident also deposited significant amounts of sediment in the river, both upstream and downstream of the powerhouse. Efforts are underway to carefully remove that debris. The upstream area is estimated to contain 49,000 cubic yards of sediment, with another 11,000 cubic yards on the downstream side.

Yuba Water also continues to closely monitor conditions in the North Yuba River around New Colgate Powerhouse, along with conditions and potential impacts downstream and in the lower Yuba River.