Employees Evacuated After Flooding at New Colgate Powerhouse Following Pipe Failure
Employees at the New Colgate Powerhouse in Yuba County were evacuated Friday after a large water pipe failed, sending a sudden surge of water through a facility building and prompting a multi-agency emergency response. Authorities say no injuries were reported, and crews remained on scene into the evening to control flooding and assess damage.
What happened and when
The incident occurred shortly after 3: 00 PM Pacific Standard Time on Friday, February 13, 2026 (6: 00 PM ET). A large pipe broke inside one of the powerhouse buildings, allowing a significant volume of water to inundate interior spaces and forcing staff to evacuate the remote Dobbins area between Collins Lake and New Bullards Bar Reservoir.
Evacuations and rescues
The Yuba County Sheriff's Office coordinated the initial response and confirmed that all employees were evacuated from the site. Fire crews from a regional wildland unit assisted at the scene and conducted multiple rescues as the flooding unfolded. Emergency personnel prioritized life safety and moved staff to secure locations away from active flow and damaged infrastructure.
Agency response and onsite management
The agency that operates the hydroelectric facility dispatched maintenance and operations crews immediately to manage the situation. Teams focused on isolating damaged piping, shutting down affected systems, and preventing further water intrusion. Incident commanders established a perimeter in the rugged Dobbins area and kept roadways clear for responders and repair crews.
Power and water delivery impacts
Officials have not yet released a full assessment of how the flooding will affect electricity generation or water deliveries downstream. A regional utility outage map showed thousands of customers without power in Dobbins and surrounding communities as of early evening ET. The New Colgate Powerhouse channels water back into the Yuba River after it passes through turbines, a flow that supports downstream fisheries and ties into the broader regional water system, so any prolonged outage could have cascading effects on both generation and water operations.
Safety record and context
The New Colgate Powerhouse is a critical component of local water and power infrastructure. The site has seen safety concerns in the past; last August a contractor died after a fall at a construction site near the powerhouse. That incident prompted reviews of onsite safety protocols. crews on Friday were also looking at structural and safety issues to determine whether recent work or conditions contributed to the pipe failure.
Next steps and community information
Crews remained on scene late Friday into the evening to complete damage assessments, stabilize the site, and restore safe operating conditions. The operating agency said it will provide updates when more information is available on repairs, timelines for restoring full operations, and any expected effects on downstream water users. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and coordinating with utilities and emergency services to restore power and ensure public safety.
The incident at the colgate powerhouse highlighted vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure in remote areas and underscored the need for rapid coordination between water and energy operators and emergency responders when mechanical failures occur.
