Established in 1959 by an act of the State Legislature and headquartered in historic Marysville, California, Yuba County Water Agency is a dynamic, progressive, well-respected public agency that owns and operates four dams with a storage capacity of roughly 1 million acre-feet of water and associated powerhouses capable of generating approximately 397 Mw of energy.

The primary functions of the Agency are development and sale of hydroelectric power, flood control, fisheries enhancement, recreation, conservation and storage of water and wholesale of water to member districts. The Agency has an annual budget exceeding $37 million.

A leader in water transfers and fisheries restoration, YCWA is involved in many constructive efforts with local, state and federal agencies, and conservation groups.

History
“A district hereinafter called an agency is hereby created for the purpose of accomplishing a function of statewide importance. Said agency shall be known as Yuba County Water Agency….”

The agency shall have the power to control the flood and storm waters of the agency and the flood and storm waters of streams that have their sources outside of the agency, which streams and flood waters flow into the agency, and to conserve such waters for the beneficial and useful purposes of said agency ….”

“The agency shall have the power as limited in this act to do any and every lawful act necessary in order that sufficient water may be available for any present and future beneficial use ….”

“The Agency shall have the power to develop hydroelectric power to the extent that such power can be developed in connection with the construction and operation of its projects ….”