Downieville River to Be Rerouted for “Eco-Friendly” Hot Tub Project

DOWNIEVILLE — In a bold move to boost winter tourism and promote sustainability, officials in Downieville have unveiled plans to reroute a portion of the North Yuba River into a series of natural hot tubs along Main Street. The project, dubbed an “eco-friendly relaxation initiative,” aims to transform the historic town into a destination for wellness seekers while utilizing the river’s natural flow.

Bubba Springs, the project’s lead coordinator, outlined the vision in an interview with The Mountain Messenger. “We’re sitting on a gold mine of warm water potential here,” Springs said. “By channeling the river into these tubs, we’re creating a low-impact attraction that’ll put Downieville on the spa map. It’s green, it’s relaxing, and we’re hoping it’ll bring people up here for winter.” He added that the tubs, constructed from local wood, will be heated naturally by “strategic river dynamics” and solar panels.

The North Yuba River, a defining feature of Sierra County, has long been a draw for anglers and kayakers. Under the proposed plan, a section near the town center would be diverted through a network of shallow pools, each designed to hold up to eight visitors. The initiative has been pitched as a way to diversify the area’s outdoor offerings, which have traditionally leaned heavily on mountain biking and fishing.

Local reaction is mixed. Longtime resident and fly-fishing enthusiast Dr. Smeltermann expressed skepticism. “I just hope my fish don’t end up poached—or worse, sharing a tub with me,” said Smeltermann. Springs countered that wildlife impacts would be minimal, noting, “The trout will have their own bypass channel. This is about coexistence.”

The project, slated to begin construction in late spring, still requires county approval and environmental permits. Springs remains optimistic, pointing to preliminary support from tourism advocates. “We’re not turning Downieville into Vegas,” he said. “We’re giving folks a chance to soak in nature—literally. Picture it: a hot tub sunset on Main Street. Beats a cold beer at the saloon any day.”

The county’s Board of Supervisors raised concerns that folks would see no reason not to enjoy a cold beer from the saloon in a hot tub at sunset, leading to the possibility of rising blood-alcohol content among local fish. Further details, including a projected opening date, will be announced following a combination public hearing and sauna session later this month.

This article is part of our 2025 April Fools’ Day series.