Centennial Dam

About the Centennial Dam

Take action to meet our water needs — without another big dam.

Protect Bear River

Have you heard about the controversial plan to build the 275-foot Centennial Dam on the Bear River?

In the 21st century, dams are a last resort because they harm the environment and have skyrocketing costs. Today, smart water managers are using sustainable and innovative solutions to meet future water needs.

We don’t need a new dam generating more polluting sprawl and traffic. Let’s work together to increase our water supply by restoring our forests and meadows, and use the water we do have more wisely.

If built, Centennial Dam would…

Flood the last nine miles of publicly-accessible, free-flowing river on the Bear River
Destroy fish and wildlife habitat, beloved swimming holes, and Native American sites
Decimate 2,200 acres of forested river canyon – including riparian and wetland areas.

Did you know?

More than half of the water in the upper Middle and South Yuba River watersheds is diverted to the Bear River.

Will they take more in the future when Centennial doesn’t fill?

Centennial Dam

U.S. Army Corps Ordered to get Salmon past Yuba River Dams

Yuba Salmon Now | Dams and Hydropower | Issues and Causes

U.S. Army Corps Ordered to get Salmon past Yuba River Dams

PostedMarch 3, 2012January 30, 2023 UpdatedJanuary 30, 2023

Nevada City, CA – On February 29, 2012, the National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”) released a formal decision finding that the…

Dams and Hydropower | Issues and Causes | Yuba Salmon Now

Englebright Dam and YCWA’s License

PostedApril 7, 2011November 4, 2022 UpdatedNovember 4, 2022

On March 7th, SYRCL and our allies in the Foothills Water Network filed comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting…

Volunteering | Dams and Hydropower | Issues and Causes | Yuba Salmon Now

Yuba Salmon Now! Campaign Update

PostedMarch 4, 2011November 4, 2022 UpdatedNovember 4, 2022

It’s been a busy start to 2011 for SYRCL’s salmon campaign, as well as for the salmon of the Yuba and…

Get Involved

Pledge to become a Centennial Dam Watchdog

Packs Matter

We’ve assembled a strong team of Dam Watchdogs. Together, we are scrutinizing every angle of the Centennial Dam project and raising awareness of the impacts on the Yuba and Bear Rivers, water supply and wildlife.

With your help, we’ll shine a light on the project so the community knows what the dangers could be for the two watersheds.