Federal, State, and Local Agencies Announce Initiatives for the Yuba Watershed

On April 25, 2025, the State of California, NOAA Fisheries, and the Yuba Water Agency announced a significant initiative aimed at enhancing water management and ecosystem restoration. SYRCL has been engaged in the development of the environmental portions of this initiative for nearly five years. The following releases from the signatories describe the agreement: 

1. Yuba River Resilience Initiative: Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a joint effort involving the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Yuba Water Agency, and NOAA Fisheries to restore native fish populations in the Yuba River. Key components include constructing a nature-like fishway around the Daguerre Point Dam, modernizing water diversion systems to protect fish while maintaining irrigation supplies, and implementing a detailed reintroduction program for spring-run Chinook salmon in the North Yuba River. California is investing $30 million into this initiative, part of a broader $60 million funding plan.  

2. NOAA Agreement for Agricultural Water Supply: NOAA signed an agreement aimed at a reliable water supply for California agriculture through the installation of a modernized water diversion system that will support over 40,000 acres of crops, improving agricultural resilience in Yuba County. This agreement underscores the importance of collaborative water management strategies that support both environmental conservation and the state’s agricultural economy. 

3. Yuba Water, partners formalize Yuba River Resilience Initiative to benefit fish and water supplies: Yuba Water Agency, CDFW, and NOAA Fisheries have officially launched the Yuba River Resilience Initiative—a strategic restoration plan to support native fish populations, including salmon and sturgeon, while protecting long-term water access for Yuba County agriculture. Key components include a nature-like fishway at Daguerre Point Dam and a spring-run Chinook salmon reintroduction program, with over $60 million initially committed by Yuba Water and CDFW. 

This initiative reflects California’s need to take an integrated approach to water resource management, aiming to restore vital ecosystems while supporting agricultural productivity. Balancing the demands on freshwater resources is one of the greatest challenges facing California and the western United States. It is made even more challenging by shifting political pressure and values at the federal level. 

SYRCL, alongside other environmental groups, has been working with our colleagues at CDFW, Yuba Water Agency, and NOAA Fisheries for the last five years discussing the various components of this agreement including the water quality certifications and Chinook salmon lifecycle studies in the North Yuba which began in 2020, improved volitional fish passage at Daguerre Point Dam beginning in 2022. During these discussions, we have advocated for a reliance on the best-available science and open processes across the various components of the initiative. SYRCL has taken a broad view of viable salmon habitat and where studies should occur in the Yuba River watershed so that the door remains open for additional studies in the Middle and South Yuba. Additionally, we have aimed for a more participatory public engagement process related to fish passage at Daguerre Point Dam.  

Now that the agreement is signed, we’re looking forward to remaining at the table to ensure that best science and best practices guide the implementation of the planned projects happening throughout the Yuba River watershed and everywhere its water flows.