Lafranchi Creek dam
Lafranchi Creek
Lafranchi Creek in Sonoma, California, is a privately owned water supply dam constructed in 1982. The dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a hydraulic height of 19 feet, with a length of 965 feet. Its primary purpose is for irrigation and water supply, with a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Located in the city of Kellogg, Lafranchi Creek Dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. The dam has a significant hazard potential, but its condition assessment in 2017 deemed it satisfactory. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in August 2020. The dam is designed to mitigate risks and meet emergency preparedness guidelines, although specific measures for risk management and emergency response are not outlined in the available data.
With a focus on water supply, Lafranchi Creek Dam serves as a key infrastructure for the community, supporting agricultural irrigation and domestic water needs. Its strategic location in Sonoma County underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change and shifting hydrological patterns. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate adaptation can appreciate the role that Lafranchi Creek Dam plays in safeguarding water security in the region while navigating the challenges posed by an evolving climate 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 Lafranchi Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maacama C Nr Kellogg Ca | 12 cfs | → |
| Russian R A Jimtown Ca | 144 cfs | → |
| Russian R Nr Healdsburg Ca | 168 cfs | → |
| Russian R A Digger Bend Nr Healdsburg Ca | 179 cfs | → |
| Dry C Nr Mouth Nr Healdsburg Ca | 74 cfs | → |
| Russian R A Geyserville Ca | 121 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lafranchi Creek.
Boat launches
- Public Boat Ramp Spur Sonoma County
- Ball Park Avenue 14775, Clearlake
- Fisherman's Trail Sonoma County
- Chaparral Cove Napa County
- Lake County
- Island Drive Lake County
Campgrounds
- Napa County Fairgrounds
- Bothe - Napa Valley State Park
- Horse Camp
- Calso Campground
- Ridge Campground
- Spring Lake Regional Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Cache Creek
- North Fork Cache Creek
- Olema Ranch Campground To Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Station
More reservoirs
Track Lafranchi Creek 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 Lafranchi Creek
Where does the data for Lafranchi Creek 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 Lafranchi Creek.