Published on August 05, 2026
Aug. 5, 2026 - SANTA ROSA, CA — Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will hold an in-person public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to present proposed safety upgrades for the
Matanzas Creek Dam.
Originally constructed under the 1958 Central Sonoma Watershed Work Plan, the Matanzas Creek Dam provides essential flood protection for the City of Santa Rosa and surrounding communities. To meet modern seismic and hydraulic design standards set by the NRCS
and California’s Division of Safety of Dams, project leaders are proposing key structural improvements.
The proposed rehabilitation work includes:
- Raising the main dam crest by 7.4 feet.
- Raising the auxiliary spillway crest by 11.4 feet.
- Removing accumulated sediment area to restore original sediment storage capacity.
Together, these improvements would strengthen the dam's ability to withstand seismic activity and safely handle storm events, reducing flood risk for homes, businesses and infrastructure in Santa Rosa and the surrounding area.
"The Matanzas Creek Dam has reliably protected downtown Santa Rosa and surrounding communities for decades, but evolving seismic standards and climate conditions require us to upgrade aging infrastructure," said Rebecca Hermosillo, Sonoma Water Board Chair
and District 1 Supervisor. "We encourage community members to join this public meeting, review the draft environmental assessment and share their feedback. Public input is essential as we work alongside our federal partners to protect our community's safety and strengthen long-term flood resilience."
Public Meeting Details
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 11
- Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Bennett Valley Golf Course – Iron & Vine Restaurant, 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa
To read the Draft Watershed Plan-EA or learn more about the project, visit https://matanzascreekdamrehab.com.
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Media Contact:
Stuart Tiffen, Public Information Officer
Sonoma Water
(707) 322-1223