The South Yuba River: Still Wild. Still Scenic. Still Worth Fighting For. 

On January 1, 2001, the South Yuba River officially became designated Wild & Scenic under California law. That moment didn’t just protect a river; it honored a movement.

For years leading up to that day, the Yuba’s defenders stood together: students and parents, anglers and environmentalists, scientists and activists, everyday river lovers who refused to let their river disappear under a lake. They rallied to stop dams that would have buried canyons, drowned critical habitat, and silenced one of California’s most beautiful rivers. They organized under a simple but powerful idea: People can save a river. 

And they did. 

What “Wild & Scenic” Really Means 

The term Wild & Scenic might sound poetic, but it carries legal implications.

When a river earns this designation under the California Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, it means the state recognizes that the river’s natural beauty, fish and wildlife, and recreational values are extraordinary and that those values must be protected in balance with other water needs.

It means: 

• No new dams or diversions can be built along the protected segments. 
• No powerhouses or transmission lines can alter the river’s free-flowing character. 
• Water management decisions must consider the river’s protected values. 

This designation acknowledges that healthy rivers support healthy communities. The South Yuba provides drinking water for tens of thousands of residents, supports agriculture, sustains fisheries, and offers recreation that drives local economies. Protecting the river isn’t just about environmental preservation; it’s about ensuring these benefits will exist for future generations.

There are currently 2,404 miles of rivers and streams in California that are protected in the federal and state Wild and Scenic River Systems. But every river’s story is unique. The South Yuba’s story is one of grassroots activism and the power of diverse voices finding common ground. 

The Fight for the Yuba 

In the early 1980s, the South Yuba faced an existential threat. State and federal agencies were supporting proposed new dams to address water supply concerns. To many, this sounded like progress. But to locals who knew the Yuba’s emerald pools, granite boulders, and precious wildlife habitat, it sounded like a death sentence for the river, and they vowed to stop it.

From this resistance, the South Yuba River Citizens League was born. Ordinary citizens transformed into river advocates. They organized coalitions that bridged environmental groups, fishing organizations, business owners, and outdoor enthusiasts. They marched on the State Capitol and built relationships with decision-makers to demonstrate that protection and prosperity could coexist.

After years of persistence, and with the leadership of local champions, their work paid off. 

In 1999, Senate Bill 496 passed, officially designating 39 miles of the South Yuba as Wild & Scenic. Governor Gray Davis signed it into law that October, and the protection took effect on January 1, 2001, after a year gap to help address flooding concerns in the area around Marysville.

That hard-won victory made history and set the tone for decades of community-driven river protection across California.

What the Designation Protects Today 

For the South Yuba River, the Wild & Scenic designation still matters every single day.

“Wild & Scenic” strengthens SYRCL’s advocacy in water policy battles. It ensures that no dam can flood its canyons or divert its flow. It allows the river to continue to inspire locals and visitors alike.

How a River Becomes Wild & Scenic 

Earning this designation is never easy. 

 Here’s what it takes: 

1. A community that cares. It starts with residents, Tribes, scientists, and advocates who refuse to let a river be forgotten or destroyed. 
2. A rigorous state review. Agencies evaluate whether the river has “extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values.” 
3. Legislative action. The California Legislature must pass a bill specifically naming the river segments to be protected.
4. A governor’s signature. Once signed, the designation becomes permanent and enforceable by state law. 

Earning Wild & Scenic protection requires inspired and educated community members, scientific research, policy advocacy, and powerful storytelling. This is precisely the work the South Yuba River Citizens League does every day to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed. 

The Fight Continues 

Even with its designation, the South Yuba still faces threats that laws alone can’t stop: 

• Rising water temperatures and reduced snowpack driven by climate change. 
• Wildfires that alter watershed conditions and increase erosion. 
• Water quality impacts from threats such as 6PPD-q and PFAS. 
• Overuse and litter from increased recreation. 

The fight to keep the Yuba wild didn’t end in 2001, it evolved. 

If you love the Yuba, your voice and action still matter: 

Stay informed. Subscribe to SYRCL’s newsletter for updates on restoration and advocacy efforts, legislation that can impact the Yuba, and opportunities to get involved. 

Get your hands dirty. Join us for volunteer opportunities, river cleanups, and citizen science projects that keep the watershed thriving. 

Speak up. When threats emerge — like harmful laws or new diversion proposals — lend your voice through public comment and outreach. 

Support SYRCL. Your membership and donations fund the science, education, inspiration, and advocacy we do that protects this river every day. 

Celebrate with us. The year 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the South Yuba’s Wild & Scenic designation. Join our community events like SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival in February, the State of the Yuba in April, our Wild for the Yuba Gala in June, our Annual Yuba River Cleanup in September, and our public Salmon Expeditions in November. Join us as we honor the people who made this protection possible. 

The South Yuba River’s Wild & Scenic designation isn’t just a chapter in environmental history. It’s a living commitment that requires ongoing stewardship, scientific monitoring, and community action. The threats have changed since 2001, but the solution remains the same: people coming together to protect what they love.