OREGON HOUSE, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2026) – In the aftermath of Friday’s rupture of the penstock pipe above New Colgate Powerhouse in Dobbins, Yuba Water Agency crews and environmental contractors spent Sunday focused on potential hazard containment and debris removal from the Yuba River, as well as environmental assessment and monitoring in advance of oncoming storms.
Crews successfully installed an oil boom in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Englebright Reservoir. They also removed significant large debris that washed into the river.
“We are coordinating with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to address the potential harm of any materials that ended up in the river because of the incident,” said Willie Whittlesey, general manager of Yuba Water. “We are now actively trying to remove debris, including the natural materials like woody debris, from the affected areas of Englebright Reservoir. Water quality testing is also underway across the watershed.”
Additional environmental impacts
Yuba Water is also coordinating with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and others to assess the impact of the penstock rupture on the lower Yuba River, including the effect of temporary flow changes on aquatic species.
“While this unprecedented event poses unique challenges, protection of the Yuba River remains one of our top priorities, both in the immediate response to this incident and moving forward,” Whittlesey said.
Continued focus on slope stability
In addition to the ongoing environmental efforts, Yuba Water contracted a firm to conduct a LiDAR survey of the hillside around New Colgate Powerhouse. LiDAR is short for Light Detection and Ranging. LiDAR uses laser light to remotely measure distance and create detailed three-dimensional imagery of landscapes. The data collected will be compared to prior LiDAR surveys and analyzed to better understand the impact from Friday’s event.
Yuba Water continues to investigate the cause of Friday’s penstock rupture and urges the public to stay away from the incident site and out of the Yuba River between New Colgate Powerhouse and Englebright Lake while crews work to contain debris.