Hillside Ranch dam
Hillside Ranch
Nestled in Sonoma, California, Hillside Ranch stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the face of changing climates. Owned privately, this dam is regulated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for its crucial role in providing water supply for irrigation, recreation, and general use. Completed in 1967, this earth dam spans 317 feet in length and reaches a height of 60 feet, harnessing the waters of Tr House Creek to store 210 acre-feet of water for the surrounding area.
Despite its low hazard potential, Hillside Ranch maintains a satisfactory condition as of its last assessment in 2017. Regular inspections ensure its structural integrity and readiness for any emergencies, with a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan (EAP) likely in place to mitigate risks. With a minimal drainage area of 0.62 square miles, this dam serves as a vital resource for the community of Soda Springs, contributing to the sustainable management of water resources in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, Hillside Ranch stands as a crucial infrastructure for ensuring reliable water supply for the future. With the support of state agencies and dedicated oversight, this earth dam remains a beacon of responsible water resource management in California, catering to the needs of both the environment and the community it serves.
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 Hillside Ranch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Austin C Nr Cazadero Ca | 5 cfs | → |
| Dry C Nr Geyserville Ca | 200 cfs | → |
| Sf Gualala R Nr The Sea Ranch Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Dry C Blw Lambert Br Nr Geyserville Ca | 107 cfs | → |
| Big Sulphur C Nr Cloverdale Ca | 8 cfs | → |
| Russian R A Geyserville Ca | 87 cfs | → |
About Hillside Ranch
Where does the data for Hillside Ranch 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 Low 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 below 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.
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.