Bradford is an earth dam located in Mendocino County, California, built in 1985. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 58 ft58 ft tall and 390 ft long, taller than 95% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Bradford
The primary purpose of Bradford 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 Fountain Ranch, LLC (private). It impounds the Tr Russian Rv.
The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 390 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 440 acre-feet. Completed in 1985, the structure is 41 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 04/17/2025.
At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Mendocino |
| River/Stream | Tr Russian Rv |
| Coordinates | 38.92880, -123.08180 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Length | 390 ft |
| Year Completed | 1985 (41 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 440 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 440 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Fountain Ranch, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/17/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA01263 |
| Federal ID | CA01263 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |