South Feather is transferring water from Little Grass Valley Reservoir (LGVR) into Sly Creek Reservoir to facilitate some concrete repairs in the LGVR Spillway chute. We be moving approximately 11,000 AF of water. LGVR release will be increased beginning Wednesday, 7/26, after our hydrographer performs his USGS survey of the downstream release. The increase will be completed end of day Friday, 7/28, at which time the release will be approximately 375 – 400 cfs. Tentatively, the release will be reduced beginning Thursday, 8/10. The repairs will be performed the week of 8/14. Just in time for our yearly FERC inspections the week of 8/21.
Newsroom
Delayed Start of 2023 Irrigation Season
The 2023 irrigation season has been delayed to support mutual aid efforts with the North Yuba Water District (NYWD) on the Upper Forbestown Ditch. This section of conveyance is critical to both SFWPA & NYWD to efficiently convey raw water to their irrigation customers and both districts’ treatment plant reservoirs, respectively.
In addition, both districts have greatly benefitted from a heavy precipitation year, including a couple very productive late season storms.
With heavy consideration and a focus of future sustainability, the modified start dates of the 2023 irrigation season are as follows:
SFWPA Upper and Lower Forbestown Ditch: 05/08/2023
Bangor Canal and surrounding conveyance: Estimated 04/20/2023
Palermo Canal and surrounding conveyance: Estimated 04/20/2023
SFWPA appreciates your understanding.
Shut Off’s Resumed January 2023
ATTENTION: SFWPA will be resuming its shut-off process per SB 998 requirements in January 2023.
For information on our delinquency process please visit our page on SB998.
Save Water. Save California
As you know, California is facing serious water challenges. In the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor, we are highlighting these tips:
- Even tiny leaks can be huge water wasters
- Water plant, NOT pavement
- Use less water by using drought tolerant plants
SFWPA 2020 & 2019 Financial Report
North Yuba Water District sues SFWPA
A press release regarding the complaint filed by North Yuba Water District against South Feather Water and Power Agency along with a timeline of the conflict can be found here on the NYWD link above or https://southfeather.com/nywd
“North Yuba Water District Sues South Feather Water Power Authority for Breach of Contract”
“Brownsville, CA – June 18, 2020 – Thursday, North Yuba Water District (NYWD) filed a lawsuit against South Feather Water and Power Authority (SFWPA) asserting a number of legal issues, including breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.” — 6/18/2021… North Yuba Water District | Legislative & Legal Affairs (nywd.org)
Service Disconnections
For the Agency’s policy on service discontinuation, see the SB 998 tab at the top of the page or go to this link https://southfeather.com/sb998.
Appropriations Limit for 2019
The Agency’s 2019 Appropriations Limit has been calculated at $1,026,619. Proceeds from property taxes for the Agency in 2019 are budgeted to be $543,800.
Please see the complete report for more information: 2019 Appropriations Limit
Data Request regarding NYWD hydroelectric revenue payments
Communication Page
In an effort to reach more customers, South Feather Water and Power Agency has created this communication page. If you would like more information on the topics below, please fill out the contact information and select the categories of most interest to you. As information becomes available we will send the articles to your email address.
- Agency News: Events, elections, history and financial updates
- Outage – Irrigation: Irrigation seasons, emergency and planned irrigation outages
- Outage – Potable: Issues regarding water quality, planned and emergency domestic water outages.
- Water Conservation: Methods of conservation, tips and legislation
How Do I Apply for Water?
Please see our new page on applying for water service at “How do I find out if water is available on my property?“
DWR Spillway Failure
The current flows and spillway failure does not
impact South Feather distribution of treated water.
For more information visit DWR’s web page:
http://www.water.ca.gov/recent_news.cfm
or
call (800) 952-5530
Get the Facts: Lead and California’s Drinking Water
DWR Offering Rebates
The “turf and toilet” rebate program is financed by the Proposition 1 water bond approved by voters in 2014. The program will help carry out Governor Brown’s April 1 Executive Order on drought to further reduce water use in homes by replacing more than 10 million square-feet of lawn and upgrading more than 60,000 water-wasting toilets.
DWR will oversee the two rebate programs, which provide a $100 consumer rebate to replace one old toilet per household and up to $2 per square foot for lawn replacement. Californians can visit www.SaveOurWaterRebates.com to apply for the rebates.
Letter to Customers regarding Water Conservation
June 3, 2015
Re: Implementing State-Mandated Drought Contingencies
Dear Water User:
On April 1, 2015, Governor Brown issued Executive Order B-29-15, directing the State Water Board to issue emergency water conservation regulations to achieve a mandatory statewide 25% reduction in potable water usage through February 28, 2016. Subsequently, the State Water Board adopted Emergency Regulations which, among other things, impose additional water use prohibitions and mandate the Agency to achieve 36% savings in its customers’ potable water use in 2015 as compared to their use in 2013.
The Agency’s current available water supply, in conjunction with its customers’ conservation record and the Agency’s conservation efforts, would not independently justify imposing a mandatory 36% reduction in the Agency’s potable water production in order to protect against continuing drought conditions, as the Emergency Regulations do. Were it not for these mandatory regulations, South Feather Water and Power would not have to impose restrictions on its customers other than to request reasonable and voluntary conservation efforts. The Agency’s water storage currently stands at 70% of average for this time of year, which amount exceeds well over four times its customers’ annual potable demand.
Although the Agency believes that the State is imposing conservation measures on Agency customers that are inappropriate and unnecessary, South Feather intends to utilize its best efforts to comply with the Emergency Regulations’ mandates, which include the following wasteful water practices:
- Applying potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures;
- Use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use;
- The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks;
- The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system;
- The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall;
- The serving of drinking water other than upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including but not limited to restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served and/or purchased; and,
- The irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians;
- The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development; and,
- Failure of the operator of hotels and motels to provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily.
Also, outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes or turf utilizing potable water shall only be conducted between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. This restriction does not apply to the limited use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device, an irrigation system that uses stream rotor sprinklers that meet a 70% efficiency standard, very low-flow drip-type irrigation systems where no emitter produces more than two gallons of water per hour, or to commercial nurseries and growers utilizing non-potable, raw water.
We know that our customers are conscious of the drought because they already achieved a 10% decrease in 2014 as compared to 2013, and they are on track to conserve even more in 2015. So, in addition to implementing the mandatory conservation measures listed above, we’re asking Agency customers to implement measures within their households and businesses to reduce per-capita water use by 25% so that we can achieve the Agency’s assigned water conservation goal (water saving tips are available at www.southfeather.com). The Agency has no plans to impose water budgets or penalties on its customers, and there are also no plans to increase water rates to affect conservation.
Please let me know if you have questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
South Feather Water and Power Agency
Michael C. Glaze, General Manager
A conversation with Mike Glaze about California’s drought, water rates and economic development
Interview courtesy of Bill Sharman at KHP Radio FM 97.1 in Oroville, California. Interview originally aired on KHP Radio on May 10, 2015.
2015 Drought Information
In response to the Governor’s April 1 drought emergency proclamation, South Feather Water and Power Agency is asking its customers to implement measures within their households and businesses to reduce per-capita water use by 25%. Customers are also being asked to limit their outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes and turf to every other day.
On April 1, 2015, the Agency had approximately 115,000 acre-feet of water in storage. End-of-year storage will be 60,000 acre-feet. Water consumed by customers for all purposes in 2015 will be less than 20,000 acre-feet. Conserved water remains in storage for the exclusive use of Agency customers.
Lost Creek Dam and Reservoir
In order to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations, South Feather Water and Power Agency will be performing a significant modification project to the Lost Creek Dam that will result in increased strength and serviceability of the dam. As a result, Lost Creek Dam and Reservoir will be closed to the public beginning in the spring of 2015 through the fall of 2017. Any change in status of this project will be posted at www.southfeather.com
All questions relating to this project can be directed to Shawn Hayse at 530-538-8856; or through email at shayse@southfeather.com
Lost Creek Dam Bid Results
Contractor Name |
Total Bid Amount ($) |
Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc. | $ 19,664,650 |
Flat Iron West, Inc. | $ 21,486,825 |
Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. | $ 23,674,610 |
Kiewit Infrastructure West, Inc. | $ 23,743,000 |
Proven | $ 24,857,777 |
ASI Constructors, Inc. | $ 26,407,070 |
Syblon-Reid | $ 26,990,850 |
Granite Construction Company | $ 27,736,949 |