Lake Hodges
Lake Hodges is a multi-arch dam located in San Diego County, California, built in 1918. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Hodges
The primary purpose of Lake Hodges 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 City Of San Diego (local government). It impounds the San Dieguito River near Rancho Santa Fe.
The dam stands 131 feet tall and stretches 729 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,317 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 37,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 303 square miles. Completed in 1918, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/08/2025.
At 131 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | San Diego |
| Nearest City | Rancho Santa Fe |
| River/Stream | San Dieguito River |
| Coordinates | 33.04590, -117.12920 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Multi-Arch |
| NID Height | 131 ft |
| Dam Height | 131 ft |
| Dam Length | 729 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 37,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 37,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,317 acres |
| Drainage Area | 303 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of San Diego |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00108 |
| Federal ID | CA00108 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |