Donovan

Tr Windsor Creek· Sonoma, California· Built 1953· Earth· 40 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Donovan is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 46.3% in CA)
Dam Length295 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage70 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDCA00989

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 2, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Private Entity

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Donovan?

Donovan is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Donovan?

Donovan is owned by Private Entity (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Donovan built?

Donovan was completed in 1953, making it 73 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Donovan?

Donovan serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Donovan?

Donovan has a dam height of 40 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Donovan last inspected?

Donovan was last inspected on November 2, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.