Buena Vista Winery dam
Buena Vista Winery
Buena Vista Winery, located in Cuttings Wharf, California, is home to a significant earth dam on Tr Hudeman Slough. Completed in 1971, the dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a hydraulic height of 36.2 feet, providing a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet for irrigation and water supply purposes. With a drainage area of 0.28 square miles and a surface area of 10 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Owned privately, Buena Vista Winery is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and the Safety of Dams agency. Its dam, classified as having a significant hazard potential, underwent a satisfactory condition assessment in September 2017. The dam's last inspection in November 2020 showed a regular inspection frequency of one year, highlighting the commitment to maintaining its structural integrity and ensuring the safety of downstream communities. While no emergency action plan details were provided, the winery's dedication to compliance and enforcement of state regulations underscores its responsibility in managing water resources effectively.
Buena Vista Winery's dam on Tr Hudeman Slough stands as a testament to the intersection of agriculture, water supply, and climate resilience in Sonoma County. With the support of state agencies and a private owner, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of providing water for irrigation and supply. As enthusiasts in water resource and climate issues, the winery's infrastructure presents a captivating example of sustainable water management practices within the context of California's diverse and dynamic environment.
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 Buena Vista Winery -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nathanson C A Sonoma Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Sonoma C A Agua Caliente Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Napa R Nr Napa Ca | 27 cfs | → |
| Novato C A Novato Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Petaluma R A Copland Pumping Station A Petaluma Ca | 90 cfs | → |
| Sonoma Creek A Kenwood Ca | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buena Vista Winery.
Boat launches
- Cuttings Wharf Road 3270, Napa
- Cuttings Wharf Road 3175-3337, Napa
- Napa Valley Vine Trail, Napa
- North Camino Alto Vallejo
- Sears Point Road 100-138, Novato
- Curtola Parkway 139-199, Vallejo
Campgrounds
- Napa Valley Expo
- Skyline Wilderness County Park
- Camp Via (Sonoma Developmental Center)
- Browers Garden Camping - No Reservation Needed
- Rowser Garden Camping (No Reservation Needed)
- China Camp State Park
Fishing spots
- 9th Street Boat Ramp
- City Of Benicia Fishing Pier
- Lake Ralphine
- San Pablo Reservoir
- Lake Lagunitas
- Berkeley Yacht Harbor
Paddle runs
- 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
- Olema Ranch Campground To Caltrans Corporation Yard At Point Reyes Station
- Cache Creek
Track Buena Vista Winery 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 Buena Vista Winery
Where does the data for Buena Vista Winery 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 Buena Vista Winery.