However, the Yura-gawa River is designated as a first class river, a classification designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism indicating rivers which are especially important to the national economy; these days, the river is essential to people's lives, as its water is used to supply water to the city via a purification plant for agriculture; moreover, various events, such as the release of young sweetfish and salmon are also held by citizens at the river as well.
しかし由良川は国土交通大臣が国民経済上特に重要な河川などに対して指定する一級水系に指定されているとおり、市内に供給される浄水場の原水や農業用水としては勿論のこと、今では市民の手による鮎や鮭の稚魚の放流といったイベントが開かれるなど、市民の生活には欠くことのできない川である。