DOBBINS, Calif. — A tragic accident claimed the life of a Yuba Water Agency contractor on Thursday afternoon at a construction site in the Yuba County community of Dobbins, near the New Colgate Powerhouse.

According to the agency, the worker died after falling down an embankment while operating heavy construction equipment. The location, southwest of New Bullards Bar Reservoir, is part of an area known for steep terrain and ongoing infrastructure work tied to Yuba Water’s hydroelectric operations.

The incident occurred early Thursday afternoon and was confirmed by officials to CBS Sacramento later in the day. The victim’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of family.

“We are just devastated and still processing what exactly happened,” said Willie Whittlesey, General Manager of the Yuba Water Agency. “Our hearts are with the family, friends and coworkers who are suffering through unimaginable loss, and with our own staff who supported the accident response today.”

Details Surrounding the Accident

While the agency has not released specifics about what caused the fall, the incident involved construction equipment positioned near a steep embankment. Safety investigators are expected to review the site conditions, equipment operation logs, and compliance with workplace safety protocols.

Yuba Water officials emphasized that the location was part of an active construction and maintenance zone, and the work involved specialized infrastructure improvements that are critical to the operation of the New Colgate Powerhouse—a key facility in Yuba Water’s hydroelectric system that supplies renewable energy to the region.

Impact on the Yuba Water Community

The sudden loss has deeply affected staff and contractors associated with Yuba Water, an agency responsible for water supply, flood risk reduction, and hydroelectric power production in Yuba County.

The New Colgate Powerhouse and nearby facilities are essential not only for local water management but also for statewide energy production. The work being performed at the site is part of ongoing infrastructure maintenance aimed at ensuring reliability and safety.

Next Steps and Investigation

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is expected to conduct a full investigation into the fatality, examining whether equipment failure, terrain hazards, or other workplace safety issues played a role.

Funeral arrangements and victim identification will be made public once family members have been notified.

Agency Statement

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Yuba Water has pledged to fully cooperate with investigators while offering counseling and support services to employees and contractors impacted by the loss.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends and coworkers who are suffering through unimaginable loss,” Whittlesey reiterated. “We are committed to understanding what happened and ensuring every measure is taken to prevent such a tragedy in the future.”

Yuba Water Agency manages critical water resources for Yuba County, supports hydroelectric power generation, and operates flood risk reduction infrastructure. The New Colgate Powerhouse, where the accident occurred, is one of the most powerful hydroelectric facilities in California.

Originally reported by Richard Ramos in CBS News.