Yuba Water Commits More Than $2.9 Million for Hallwood Canal Improvements by Yuba Water Agency Dec 18, 2024 Member Submitted News MARYSVILLE – Yuba Water Agency today committed more than $2.9 million to improve the reliability of water deliveries to Yuba County farmers by lining several miles of canals within the Hallwood Irrigation Company’s service area. The funding will serve as a local match to help Hallwood qualify for a $2 million federal grant for two canal-lining projects. The funding would only be expended if they are successful in securing that federal grant. Hallwood supplies irrigation water to approximately 9,200 acres of farmland in the valley, north of the Yuba River. Constructed more than 100 years ago, Hallwood’s irrigation system has experienced two significant failures in recent years, resulting in water loss and property damage. “This is a major renovation that will improve the reliability of our water operations and help save water by reducing seepage,” said Hallwood Director Mark Chandless. “We appreciate the agency’s ongoing support of these critical improvements, which in turn support our local agricultural economy and the community.” The canal-lining project is part of Hallwood’s multi-year system renovation plan, which Yuba Water previously supported by funding the assessment that guided the plan’s development. Yuba Water takes next step to advance planned second spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam Yuba Water also approved an Environmental Impact Report for the agency’s planned Atmospheric River Control (ARC) Spillway project at New Bullards Bar Dam. The report is a requirement under the California Environmental Quality Act and is the next step to move the project forward as the agency continues to explore external funding sources to finance the project. The ARC Spillway would be the agency’s largest single investment in flood risk reduction for the Yuba-Sutter area since building New Bullards Bar Dam in the late 1960s. The new spillway would have gates 31.5 feet lower than the existing spillway, ensuring more flexibility to make water releases ahead of large atmospheric river storms and reducing stress on downstream levees during the peak of big storms. Yuba Water honors outgoing Director Don Blaser At its final meeting of the year, Yuba Water’s board honored outgoing Director Don Blaser, recognizing his dedicated service over the last four years. His term officially ends Jan. 6, 2025. Blaser joined Yuba Water’s board in 2020 after being elected as Yuba County Supervisor for District 2. The agency’s seven-member board includes all five members of Yuba County’s Board of Supervisors and two elected representatives of North and South Yuba County. In addition to serving as vice-chairman in 2023, Blaser served on the agency’s Administration, Budget, and Personnel and Project Operations and Development committees, where he helped guide budgets, significant capital improvement projects and community grants and loans. He also served as Yuba Water’s representative for the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association during his tenure. “Don has always been a champion for projects and efforts designed to lift up the community of Marysville,” said Jon Messick, Yuba Water’s board chairman. “From advocating for the restoration of Ellis Lake to fostering connections with the local business community, his impact extends beyond his role at Yuba Water. We appreciate all he’s done during his time on the board.” Learn more about Yuba Water’s missions and investments in Yuba County communities at yubawater.org. ###