Yuba Water Agency has completed the in-water portion of a sediment removal project below New Colgate Powerhouse, where crews removed an estimated 45,000 cubic yards of material following a Feb. 13 penstock rupture. Alex Boesch/Yuba Water Agency

DOBBINS, CA (MPG) - Yuba Water Agency has completed the in-water portion of a sediment removal project below New Colgate Powerhouse, where crews removed an estimated 45,000 cubic yards of material following a Feb. 13 penstock rupture.

The rupture washed sediment and debris into the North Yuba River channel near the powerhouse. Since then, crews have worked to remove the material and restore the riverbank to its pre-incident grade as part of the agency's continuing recovery effort.

Working with contractor Nordic Industries Inc., crews removed material from around the powerhouse and river and relocated it to several nearby disposal sites. The agency estimates the amount removed would fill more than 5,000 dump trucks.

A final survey planned later this month will provide a more precise estimate of the amount removed.

"I can't emphasize enough what an outstanding job the team did on this emergency sediment removal," Yuba Water Director of Power Systems Keane Sommers said.

Sommers said the in-water work presented challenges as crews responded to conditions at the site.

Before (February 2026) and after (August 2026) of New Colgate Powerhouse showing approx. 45,000 cubic yards of sediment removed following the Feb. 13 penstock incident. Alex Boesch/Yuba Water Agency

"So much of our recovery has been uncharted territory, particularly the in-water work," Sommers said. "We had to be really intentional. The team adaptively managed the project throughout, worked with our contractor to make adjustments when needed and went above and beyond to restore the original grade of the river with minimal impacts to water quality."

Yuba Water's environmental team monitored water quality throughout the in-water work. The agency had previously raised concerns that sediment removal could increase turbidity, or cloudiness, in the Yuba River.

According to Yuba Water, turbidity remained low during the work.

Although most of the work within the river has concluded, the recovery project continues. Crews are stabilizing the riverbank below New Colgate Powerhouse and performing other restoration work associated with the February rupture.

The powerhouse remains offline.

Yuba Water said it is paying for repairs from its financial reserves. The agency does not receive local tax revenue and does not have residential ratepayers.

Additional information about the Colgate Powerhouse and Infrastructure Restoration Project is available at http://engage.yubawater.org.