Bradford dam
Bradford
Bradford is a private-owned dam located in Mendocino, California, near Cloverdale. It was completed in 1985 and primarily serves as a water supply source for irrigation and domestic use. The dam stands at a height of 58 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 440 acre-feet, with a surface area of 22 acres. The structure is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and undergoes regular inspections, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of 2017.
Situated along the Tr Russian River, Bradford plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region and contributes to the irrigation needs of the surrounding area. With a significant hazard potential, the dam is closely monitored for any potential risks and has emergency action plans in place. Despite its age, the structure has been well-maintained and meets regulatory guidelines, ensuring the safety of the community downstream in the event of a disaster.
Managed by private owners, Bradford represents a vital piece of infrastructure within the water supply network of California. With its strategic location and reliable performance, the dam continues to play a key role in supporting agricultural activities and ensuring water security for the local population. As climate change impacts water resources, structures like Bradford become increasingly important in safeguarding against droughts and ensuring a sustainable water supply for the future.
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 Bradford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Russian R Nr Cloverdale Ca | 112 cfs | → |
| Russian R Nr Hopland Ca | 88 cfs | → |
| Big Sulphur C Nr Cloverdale Ca | 27 cfs | → |
| Kelsey C Nr Kelseyville Ca | 12 cfs | → |
| Russian R Nr Talmage Ca | 81 cfs | → |
| Dry C Nr Geyserville Ca | 200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bradford.
Boat launches
- Fisherman's Trail Sonoma County
- 3rd Street 20, Lakeport
- Public Boat Ramp Spur Sonoma County
- Lake County
- Lucerne Harbor Park
- Island Drive Lake County
Campgrounds
- Sheldon Creek Campground
- Russian River Campground
- Buckhorn Campground
- Skunk Creek
- Red Mountain Campground
- Thumb
Fishing spots
- Lake Sonoma
- Clear Lake (Lake Cty)
- Lake Mendocino
- Buckeye Creek
- Lake Pillsbury
- Cameron's Fishing Hole Catch & Release
Paddle runs
- North Fork Cache Creek
- Cache Creek
- Garcia River
- Headwaters In Sec 28, T18n, R8w To One-Third Mile Beyond Snow Mt. Wilderness Boundary At Private Property Boundary Near Paradise Creek
More reservoirs
Track Bradford 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 Bradford
Where does the data for Bradford 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 Bradford.