Initial tests show no pollutants in Yuba River after pipe break

Chaewon Chung, The Sacramento Bee on Feb 23, 2026

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Yuba Water Agency and state officials reported encouraging water-quality test results following the large pipe rupture at the New Colgate Powerhouse in Yuba County.

In a Friday news release, the agency said samples collected downstream in the Yuba River and at Englebright Lake showed no “concerning results.”

The initial testing found no detections of industrial or petroleum-related contaminants, specifically polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds, the agency said, adding that Yuba Water has been taking samples from the Yuba River every day since the morning after the rupture.

“We’re encouraged by these initial results, which suggest that any oil that washed into the river is likely limited to oily debris on the surface,” said Yuba Water General Manager Willie Whittlesey. “However, monitoring is ongoing as part of our continued response.”

Noting that the agency, along with state and federal agencies, is planning long-term water-quality monitoring as well, Yuba Water also said in an update on Sunday that it has so far removed 17 bins of oily debris and material from the river, with each bin containing up to 20 cubic yards of material.

“We have multiple debris booms and barges in place at Englebright to contain and remove material, with additional teams working on boats to collect and remove additional items along the riverbanks and upstream,” the agency said.

The rupture occurred Friday, Feb. 13, as the agency was wrapping up a major tunnel and penstock upgrade at its New Colgate Powerhouse, a project that had been underway since fall, unleashing a torrent of water, mud and debris down the river and injuring one worker.

The incident triggered a shutdown of a powerhouse at Englebright Dam and caused a sudden drop in river flows in the lower Yuba River, killing hundreds, and possibly thousands, of juvenile Chinook salmon. Citing the financial uncertainties caused by the incident, the agency turned down a request for $100,000 that would’ve been used toward a fish habitat project.

The Yuba County Office of Emergency Services declared a disaster Thursday, “which will allow the agency to request state and federal disaster assistance funds in the future, if needed,” Friday’s statement said. The declaration will be considered for ratification by the Yuba County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

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