Yuba Water Agency manages water resources in Yuba County. Two of their primary objectives are managing flood flows and water supply. Yuba Water Agency wants residents to know they work tirelessly to reduce the risk of floods. The agency continues to evolve by having a deeply committed staff, collaborating with other companies, and using cutting-edge technology.

Ryan McNally, Director of Water Resources and Flood Risk Reduction, is a life-long Yuba resident and knows personally about flood risk, having experienced the floods of 1986 and 1997. “To say those events shaped who I am today is an understatement,” McNally says. “The fear of losing everything at a young age led to the passion I impart upon our team today.”

His vivid memories in fact drive him to do anything to protect residents from floodwater.

“Our investment in the levees in south Yuba County is just the first step. We have partnered with the UC system and CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute) to leverage technologies for early detection in the levees, as well as to develop a real-time inundation map,” he says. The inundation map hypothetically shows flooding failures to dams and its structures.

John James, Director of Resource Planning, oversees the agency’s Hydroelectric Project Licensing, Environmental and Watershed Departments, and Reservoir Operations. James is also a meteorologist—his background in meteorology helps forecast improvement programs like the Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, also known as FIRO.

“The goal (of FIRO) is to use the improvements in storm forecasting to add more flexibility to reservoir operations, which will reduce flood risk for thousands of people living near the Yuba and Feather Rivers,” James explains.

By using some of the latest science and technologies related to forecast improvement, James says, “We keep track of everything—from how much snowfall there is in the mountains to how much water is flowing in the lower Yuba and Feather rivers.”

The agency’s work continues around-the-clock, year-round, not just in the rainy season. “California already has a highly variable climate marked by long stretches of drought and dry conditions, followed by potentially ‘drought-busting’ atmospheric rivers.” James goes on to say, “These periods of extremes are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency in the future and FIRO is a perfect tool to help us manage and adapt to these changes.”

Karl Parker is the Operations Manager for Yuba Water—his role is to direct and support the team of Hydroelectric Operators who operate the county’s dams and powerhouses. Parker collaborates with the management team to ensure project operations are supporting the entire agency’s missions.

Managing flood flows is a complex operation, Parker explains. “There are seasonal limits to how much water can be stored in New Bullards Bar, with the intent of leaving space to capture storm flows.” In addition, “there are limits that control the rate of change in our releases as well. We have a team at Yuba Water made up of expertise from multiple divisions in the agency. Public safety is always our highest priority.”

During storm season, residents may see water spilling out of New Bullards Bar and think that precious water is being wasted, but “based on the available storage, and in coordination with our outside partners, releases are made as conservatively as possible. The goal is always to protect the downstream communities, and often this is done by releasing lower amounts of water for a longer period of time.”

Parker adds, “I think it’s always good for people to understand that the team at Yuba Water Agency lives and works in our local community and we are all deeply committed to the mission and the community we serve.”

For more information on Yuba Water Agency’s flood and disaster preparedness programs and projects, visit https://www.yubawater.org/.