Donovan dam
Donovan
Donovan, a private-owned dam located in Windsor, California, plays a crucial role in water supply and irrigation in the region. Built in 1953, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. Situated on the Tr Windsor Creek, Donovan serves as a vital infrastructure for managing water resources in Sonoma County.
Managed by the California Department of Water Resources and regulated by the Safety of Dams division, Donovan is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in November 2020. With its proximity to the Sacramento District and under the representation of Congressman Jared Huffman, Donovan continues to be a key player in water management efforts in the area.
With its strategic location and primary purpose of water supply, Donovan exemplifies the importance of dams in ensuring water availability for irrigation and other uses. As a part of the broader infrastructure managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam serves as a critical component in the water system of Sonoma County. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts alike recognize Donovan's significance in maintaining the delicate balance of water supply and demand in the region, making it a noteworthy feature in California's water management landscape.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Donovan -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Russian R Nr Healdsburg Ca | 187 cfs | → |
| Maacama C Nr Kellogg Ca | 14 cfs | → |
| Dry C Nr Mouth Nr Healdsburg Ca | 74 cfs | → |
| Russian R Nr Windsor Ca | 295 cfs | → |
| Russian R A Digger Bend Nr Healdsburg Ca | 195 cfs | → |
| Mark West C Nr Mirabel Heights Ca | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Donovan.
Boat launches
- Public Boat Ramp Spur Sonoma County
- Fisherman's Trail Sonoma County
- Doran Beach Road 355, Bodega Bay
- Chaparral Cove Napa County
- Ball Park Avenue 14775, Clearlake
- Knoxville Road 1601, Napa County
Campgrounds
- Napa County Fairgrounds
- Spring Lake Regional Park
- Sonoma County Fairgrounds Rv Park
- Bothe - Napa Valley State Park
- Campsite #13
- Campsite #22
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Cache Creek
- Olema Ranch Campground To Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Station
- Headwaters To Ends One Quarter Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 1: Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Bear Valley Road Bridge Segment 2: Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Staton.
More reservoirs
Track Donovan in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Donovan
Where does the data for Donovan come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Donovan.