OREGON HOUSE, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2026) – In the aftermath of a penstock rupture above the New Colgate Powerhouse in Dobbins yesterday, Yuba Water Agency is focused today on investigating the cause, securing site safety and responding to potential environmental impacts in the Yuba River.
“Right now, we’re focusing on doing everything we can to prevent any additional debris from entering the Yuba River and continuing to secure the site ahead of forecasted rain tomorrow,” said Yuba Water Agency General Manager Willie Whittlesey.
Yuba Water is currently conducting helicopter surveys of the North and Middle Yuba rivers between New Colgate Powerhouse and Lake Englebright to map debris in the water and identify locations to place debris booms to capture large debris. The agency is working closely with Clean Harbors, a company that specializes in environmental mitigation in water and on land, and in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – which owns and operates Englebright – to contain debris and monitor water quality.
Additionally, geotechnical crews are mobilizing to assess the damage and determine next steps with regards the hillside erosion and site safety.
The public is urged to avoid Lake Francis Road and the surrounding areas while Yuba Water continues to secure the site of the penstock failure.
Yuba Water’s penstock pipe suffered a catastrophic failure yesterday, Friday, Feb. 13 just before 3 p.m., resulting in an unplanned release of water from the penstock down the hillside and into New Colgate Powerhouse. All personnel on site are safe following the incident. One person remains hospitalized.
The one-mile-long penstock pipe is a large pipe that connects to a five-mile-long rock tunnel at New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir. The pipe moves water between the dam and New Colgate Powerhouse for power generation. The facilities are part of Yuba Water’s Yuba River Development Project, a multi-purpose flood risk reduction, water supply and hydroelectric power generation project to benefit the people of Yuba County.
New Bullards Bar Dam remains in safe and stable condition and was not impacted by yesterday’s incident. There continues to be no risk of downstream flooding related to the incident.
Yuba Water will continue to provide updates in the days ahead and remains committed to transparency. Visit yubawater.org for the latest information and updates.
Editor’s note: Updates will be posted on our Colgate Powerhouse incident page.