.The Dammed: What happens if Nicasio Reservoir Expands?

Nicasio is a pastoral, idyllic town tucked between West Marin’s iconic towering redwoods, sprawling valleys and rolling hillsides. But Nicasio’s charm holds a secret—one with deep roots, rising waters and a history that’s beginning to repeat itself.

The Nicasio of today is perhaps best known for its vast reservoir, where wildlife, fishers and families flock together. Others may know this tiny town for its not-so-hidden gem of a venue, Rancho Nicasio, a local historic roadhouse known for its epic concerts and exceptional vibes and views.

Otherwise, downtown Nicasio consists mostly of a post office, a druid hall, a bespoke lingerie shop, a historic church, a legacy cheese shop, a historical society and an elementary school. Plus lots and lots of rural residential areas filled with horses, cows, goats and no small number of chickens.

But apart from concerts, livestock, lingerie, cheese, postal services and druids, what else is happening in Nicasio? And how has its history shaped the local landscape and the lives of the people who live there?

Well, according to the historians of Nicasio, the surrounding land was once home to the Coast Miwok during the pre-colonization era. Afterwards, it became a largely agricultural area for horses and cattle as well as some vineyards and farms.

Another noteworthy part of the Nicasio culture and county impact is its many creeks, which hold a whole lot of importance due to their contribution to the Tomales Bay watershed. These creeks meet at the bottom of the valley and were once important watery roadways for local fish populations, including salmon and steelhead. At least until the Nicasio Dam, responsible for the Nicasio Reservoir, cut off the route for native fish species.

Which brings up perhaps the most contentious yet strangely unknown historical aspect of the seemingly inconspicuous Nicasio Valley: the dam, the reservoir and the story held behind both, buried deep underwater like a local Atlantian secret.

But unlike Atlantis, the history submerged underneath Nicasio Reservoir is far from ancient. In fact, it was only in 1961 that the Nicasio Reservoir came to be. Before that, the area was actually an agricultural valley, one that housed multiple families and their ranches. But the county’s need for water led to a controversial call, one that changed the shape of Nicasio Valley, now known as Nicasio Reservoir, forever.

“MMWD [Marin Municipal Water District] seized the land through eminent domain,” explained Elaine Doss, a Nicasio local who taught at Nicasio School for 20 years and also holds the title of president at the Nicasio Valley Historical Society. “Six ranches were permanently put out, but more were impacted.”

“Families were uprooted,” said Rick Lafranchi, another Nicasio local and an owner of West Marin’s legacy dairy business behind the Nicasio Valley Cheese Company. “The school lost around 40 children, probably 12 families total. It created quite a change in the community, including the removal of historic farms, which were flooded for the reservoir.”

The Lafranchi family’s local roots can be traced all the way back to 1881. As a lifelong resident of the area with a multi-generational perspective, Lafranchi can impart a vital, living memory of recent yet somehow almost forgotten history. And, more importantly, he and other longtime locals know very well how the impact of the dam is far from contained to only history when its effects are still making waves (literally) in the Nicasio of today.

“We’re in a flood zone … and, in my estimation, raising the dam would only make this situation worse,” said Lafranchi. “We’ve had years where the water would come up into the yard from the creek. The road bridge [into town] has also flooded.”

“In the mid-’90s, water flooded the entire school ground,” said Doss. “The reservoir is right behind the school, not even a stone’s throw. Now, that’s a lot of years ago, and the creeks have filled with even more silt since then. That creek feeds the reservoir, and it’s so unmaintained … there’s no depth to it anymore.” 

“I’ve been here in Nicasio since 1977,” continued Doss. “I taught at the school for 20 years and am on the school board now, too. I’m aware of the changes in the school grounds and how culverts had to be put in to not have the creek go sideways into the whole school ground. I mean, two or three houses built along that creek don’t even have a backyard anymore. MMWD doesn’t do anything about any of this … they don’t even seem to know about it. Well, they do now that we’re kicking up a ruckus.”

By “kicking up a ruckus,” Doss is referring to the local community effort to stop (or at least create a dialogue with) Marin Municipal Water District, the party responsible for the existing reservoir and those behind the current plan to expand its reach by four-plus extra feet. Which, according to locals, would be bad news for the existing flooding issues the dam already creates and perpetuates.

This concern has culminated in the “Don’t Flood Nicasio” movement, signs for which can be seen by the hundreds in and around town. Four feet may not sound like a lot, but to a town that’s already battling seasonal flooding (especially in a school), it sounds potentially devastating.

“We had a town meeting about the raising of the reservoir, and I think three Nicasio old timers who went were of the original families that were displaced,” said Doss. “One of them came out to walk the reservoir when it was empty back in, I think it was 2021. This man, he was 84 and just a wonderful guy … he was in tears telling the story, how he lost the life he had.”

“To locals, the reservoir doesn’t look like a beautiful sight,” concluded Lafranchi. “I look at it as a loss. And after the tremendous loss 65 years ago, I don’t know what the impact will be for us. We’re passionate about protecting our community. And I think that if the rest of Marin knew the truth of our history and what was happening currently, they’d want to have a say in stopping it too.”

Nicasio is part of West Marin’s historical heartbeat. The community is calling for further dialogue from authorities on the potential flooding concerns that stem from the dam plan. Although small, the town has come together in the hope of protecting themselves, their neighbors and their historic landmarks. And, at the very least, their “Don’t Flood Nicasio” movement (part two) should be heard. Locals aren’t asking to undo history—they’re asking for a seat at the table before it repeats itself.

Aug. 4 is the final day for the people of Marin to raise their voice on the topical raising of the dam that may very well damn Nicasio Valley for the second time this century. 

To learn more about Nicasio’s history, culture and more, visit nicasio.net. And for more information about the Don’t Flood Nicasio movement, visit nicasio.net/flood.