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Sierra County Dry Conditions Turn to Heavy Rains

Sierra County’s dry spell ends with heavy rainstorms, raising North Yuba’s level and flow significantly.

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Sandy Sanders

Sandy Sanders

February 5, 2025

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A slide blocked Highway 49 just outside of Downieville.

A slide blocked Highway 49 just outside of Downieville.

SIERRA COUNTY — Sierra County’s dry winter finally gave way to rainstorms this week. The first storm brought nearly six inches of rain in just 48 hours, raising the North Yuba River to its highest level and flow in well over a year. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s gauge at Goodyear’s Bar, the river peaked at 12.5 feet—a rise of 10 feet—with water flow increasing from just 370 cubic feet per second (cfs) to its peak Saturday evening at 9,570 cfs. For perspective, the great New Year’s Day flood in 1997 that took out Goodyear’s Bridge peaked at 20,900 cfs. Because the first wave of storms was a warmer “Pineapple Express,” the snow level was above 8,000 feet, melting away the snow from last month’s late December storm.

Fortunately, the storms did not cause too many issues. On Saturday, several large boulders crashed down on Depot Hill, briefly blocking traffic, and late Wednesday night, a slide occurred just 100 yards west of Downieville before Cannon Point.

One more storm is heading our way on Thursday and Friday. With the temperatures cooling off this week, the snow level is estimated to drop back to 5,000 feet, so some replenishment of the snowpack is expected.

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