Buena Vista Winery

Buena Vista Winery is an earth dam located in Sonoma County, California, built in 1971. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

Hazard potentialSignificantFailure could cause major damage
ConditionSatisfactoryBest of 4 ratings
Emergency action planOn file
Last inspection06/17/2025
Height40 ft
Built197155 years ago

Dam profile

NID height · 40 ft
40 FT TWO-STORY HOUSEMEDIAN U.S. DAM · 24 FT

40 ft tall and 556 ft long, taller than 86% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.

About Buena Vista Winery

The primary purpose of Buena Vista Winery is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Foley Family Winery (private). It impounds the Tr Hudeman Slough.

The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 556 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 120 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1971, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/17/2025.

At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 86% of dams nationwide.

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Location

StateCalifornia
CountySonoma
River/StreamTr Hudeman Slough
Coordinates38.23280, -122.36750

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height40 ft
Dam Height40 ft
Dam Length556 ft
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage120 acre-ft
Max Storage120 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerFoley Family Winery
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/17/2025
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCA01068
Federal IDCA01068
More InfoState Dam Safety Program