The need for flood control on the Yuba River was the principle reason for the creation of the Yuba County Water Agency and the construction of New Bullards Bar Dam and the North Yuba River.

Historically, the Marysville-Yuba City area has experienced the ravages of a major flood about once every ten years. The discharge of debris from placer mines in Nevada County compounded the flooding problems because it raised the river beds by many feet.

Levees began providing flood control protection for Yuba City and Marysville as early as 1875 and are still heavily relied on for flood protection. This is primarily because there is no significant flood protection from the South Yuba River.

Major Floods on the Yuba River

1839 – 1840
1847
1850
1852
1853
1861 – 1862
1867 – 1868
1878
1881
1886
1889 – 1890
1907
1909
1928
1937
1940
1950
1955
1963
1964
1986
1997