The Yuba Water Agency is channeling over $8.1 million into a slew of vital flood risk reduction and water supply reliability projects throughout Yuba County, with an emphasis on enhancing infrastructure and preparing for future water needs. "We were founded on the principles of flood protection and flood risk reduction to the people of Yuba County, so to be able to help our partners by investing in these projects is just a tremendous opportunity that I am really proud to be a part of it," Ryan McNally of the Yuba Water Agency expressed in a KCRA interview. One such investment is the Marysville Ring Levee, aimed at proffering 200-year levee protection for Marysville citizens.
Detailing the allocation of funds, Yuba Water endorsed $1,350,000 for three distinct flood risk reduction undertakings, including the City of Wheatland's $650,000 grant for a Stormwater Master Plan, Reclamation District 817's $400,000 grant to finalize the Bear River Setback Levee Project ensuring it adheres to federal levee criteria, and a $300,000 loan to the Marysville Levee Commission for the Marysville Ring Levee Project. With the latter, Yuba Water’s total support sums to $2.8 million. These efforts reflect Yuba Water's commitment to preemptive measures safeguarding against the inherent perils of floodwaters. Wayne Bishop, Yuba Water Board Director, told Yubanet, "In the decades between floods, humans are prone to short-term memory – they forget about the devastation floods cause."
Moreover, Yuba Water proactively supports a range of water supply reliability projects with grants and loans exceeding $6.7 million. The Cordua Irrigation District will receive more than $4 million in grants and a $2 million cash-flow loan to revamp its main canal, enhancing water efficiency, while the Camptonville Community Services District has been promised approximately $623,000 to improve its primary water intake facility, the Campbell Gulch Diversion. The North Yuba Water District was not left behind, with two grants totaling about $141,000 to refine water delivery and treatment in their respective jurisdiction.
“Many of these systems and canals are over 100 years old," stated Kyle Morgado, Yuba Water Water Resources Manager, in an interview with Yubanet. He highlighted the significance of updates that "will help ensure they can operate for the next 100 years," spotlighting the essential nature of modernizing aged water infrastructure. To add to Yuba Water's community initiatives, a $10,000 sponsorship was also approved for the National Pumpkin Weigh Off at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm, a gesture extending support to the youth through 4-H and FFA programs.
