Plumas Lake - Yuba-Sutter

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Plumas Lake is an unincorporated, master-planned exurb in Yuba County. It is located on the north bank of the Bear River (opposite Rio Oso) and near the east bank of the Feather River (opposite Tudor), south of Arboga, southwest of Ostrom, and west of Wheatland. It contains an estimated 12,000 homes.

The U.S. Postal Service sometimes lists addresses in Plumas Lake as being in Olivehurst, because they are both in the 95961 zip code. However, on the Yuba-Sutter Wiki, we prefer listing the more specific location Plumas Lake.

History

Plumas Lake is named after what it used to be: the bottom of a lake. Many agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, opposed creating the town of Plumas Lake due to the history of severe flooding in the area (due partly to hydraulic mining upstream). During the floods of 1986 and 1997, there was as much as 15 feet or more of standing water in places where Plumas Lake houses now stand.

Plumas Lake's construction as a town began early in 2003, Infrastructure has improved steadily with improved levees and flood control, schools, parks, and two overpasses across State Highway 70. Bus service to Sacramento is provided in conjunction with a Park and Ride lot. The North Valley Rail Project hopes to open a commuter rail station in 2028.

There was previously a place called Plumas City (shown on maps from 1851) slightly southwest of Plumas Lake, on the bank of the Feather River. That place was also variously known as Plumas or Plumas Landing. Plumas Post Office was established at that location from 1860 to 1862.¹