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Penstock Rupture at Colgate Powerhouse Injures One

Emergency response, power outages, and environmental cleanup follow major pipe failure at hydro facility.

February 17, 2026

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A photo of damage to the Colgate facility caused by the burst pipe. Credit: Yuba Water Agency, February 14.

A photo of damage to the Colgate facility caused by the burst pipe. Credit: Yuba Water Agency, February 14.

DOBBINS — The rupture of a high-pressure water pipe at the New Colgate Powerhouse in Yuba County prompted an emergency response from multiple agencies on February 13. The incident involved the penstock, a 14-foot-diameter pipe that transports water from New Bullards Bar Dam to the hydroelectric facility operated by the Yuba Water Agency. According to the agency’s official updates, the failure occurred just before 3 PM, resulting in an uncontrolled release of water down the hillside and into the powerhouse. The event took place at 12700 Lake Francis Road, south of Dobbins, along the North Yuba River. Cal Fire’s Nevada Yuba Placer Unit described the situation as a major infrastructure failure, with water cascading from multiple rupture points and causing significant erosion.

Rescue operations began promptly after the pipe burst, as flooding trapped several individuals at the site. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office reported that five workers, including Yuba Water Agency employees, contractors, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company personnel, required evacuation from the hydroelectric powerhouse. Initial assessments indicated that one person was unaccounted for, prompting a coordinated search effort. Cal Fire deployed drones, a helicopter, and a technical rescue team to locate the individual below the powerhouse. By 6:18 PM, the missing worker had been rescued by a Cal Fire helicopter and transported to a local hospital, ensuring all personnel were accounted for.

The Yuba Water Agency confirmed that one worker sustained injury during the incident and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit. No further details on the nature or severity of the injuries were provided in the agency’s statements. On Monday, February 16, the Dobbins-Oregon House Fire Department stated that the victim was still in the ICU but was reportedly improving. Other rescued workers did not require hospitalization, and no additional injuries were reported by responding authorities. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the event posed no broader public safety risk, including no threat of downstream flooding in the valley.

The pipe failure also impacted nearby infrastructure, flooding Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s switching station south of Dobbins and causing power outages for more than 15,000 customers across Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, and Butte counties. Power was restored to most affected areas by the evening of February 13, with full restoration completed by the following night. The Yuba Water Agency noted that the rupture occurred during testing of a new protective valve, part of ongoing upgrades to the Colgate tunnel and penstock that began in September 2025 and were scheduled to conclude in March 2026. New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir remained unaffected, according to the agency.

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The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response shared this photo of an oil slick on the Yuba River downstream of the accident.

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response shared this photo of an oil slick on the Yuba River downstream of the accident.

Environmental concerns emerged in the days following the rupture, as debris and other materials entered the Yuba River. The Yuba Water Agency collaborated with environmental contractor Clean Harbors and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to map debris, deploy containment booms, and monitor water quality. Efforts focused on preventing further erosion ahead of forecasted storms starting February 15. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response reported an oil sheen on the Yuba River near its confluence with Englebright Lake, along the Nevada-Yuba County line. An investigation into the type and quantity of oil discharged continued as of February 15, with a cleanup contractor deploying containment booms across the river. No visibly oiled wildlife was observed at that time, per the department’s update.

The Yuba Water Agency stated that recovery efforts could extend for months, with geotechnical assessments ongoing to evaluate hillside damage and safe access routes. Public advisories urged avoiding Lake Francis Road and the Yuba River between the powerhouse and Englebright Lake due to potential debris hazards. The agency continues to investigate the cause of the failure, prioritizing site security and environmental mitigation.

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