Matanzas Creek dam
Matanzas Creek
Matanzas Creek Reservoir, located in Santa Rosa, California, is a crucial water resource managed by the local government to mitigate flood risks in the region. Constructed in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 95 feet and has a storage capacity of 1500 acre-feet. The reservoir spans 62 acres and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Matanzas Creek.
With a high hazard potential, Matanzas Creek Dam undergoes regular inspections and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2017. The dam is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and falls under the jurisdiction of the Safety of Dams program. Despite its age, the dam continues to effectively manage water flow and provide flood protection to the surrounding areas.
Matanzas Creek Reservoir plays a critical role in safeguarding the community against flooding events, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and oversight of water infrastructure. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, the efficient management of water resources like Matanzas Creek will be essential in adapting to evolving hydrological conditions and ensuring the resilience of the region's water supply and flood control systems.
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 Matanzas Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Matanzas C A Santa Rosa Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Santa Rosa C A Santa Rosa Ca | 19 cfs | → |
| Colgan C Nr Santa Rosa Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Sonoma Creek A Kenwood Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Copeland C A Rohnert Park Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Laguna De Santa Rosa A Stony Pt Rd Nr Cotati Ca | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Matanzas Creek.
Boat launches
- Sears Point Road 100-138, Novato
- Napa Valley Vine Trail, Napa
- Cuttings Wharf Road 3175-3337, Napa
- Cuttings Wharf Road 3270, Napa
- Doran Beach Road 355, Bodega Bay
- Calypso Shores 23, Marin County
Campgrounds
- Sonoma County Fairgrounds Rv Park
- Spring Lake Regional Park
- Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
- Camp Via (Sonoma Developmental Center)
- Bothe - Napa Valley State Park
- Napa County Fairgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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.
- Headwaters To Mouth
- Cache Creek
Track Matanzas 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 Matanzas Creek
Where does the data for Matanzas 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 High 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 Matanzas Creek.