Penstock failure shuts down Yuba River hydropower plant

Penstock failure shuts down Yuba River hydropower plant

DOBBINS — A catastrophic failure Friday afternoon of a newly constructed penstock pipe at the New Colgate Powerhouse on the north and middle forks of the Yuba River has shut down hydroelectric operations, the Yuba Water Agency reported. The event is downstream from New Bullards Bar Dam and did not impact the integrity of the dam, Yuba Water Agency General Manager Willie Whittlesey said. “The dam is safe,” he said. All water agency staff and cont…

Colgate Powerhouse penstock failure

The Colgate Powerhouse, operated by Yuba Water Agency, has experienced a failure of the penstock pipe carrying water from Bullards Bar Reservoir to the main stem of the Yuba River. This is a developing story, check back for updates. February 14, 2026 at 8:45 AM Yuba Water Agency update: In the aftermath of a penstock […] The post Colgate Powerhouse penstock failure appeared first on YubaNet.