Upper Otay
Upper Otay is an arch dam located in San Diego County, California, built in 1901. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper Otay
The primary purpose of Upper Otay 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 Proctor Val Cr.
The dam stands 78 feet tall and stretches 283 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 88 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,825 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1901, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 10/08/2025.
At 78 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | San Diego |
| River/Stream | Proctor Val Cr |
| Coordinates | 32.64900, -116.93220 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Length | 283 ft |
| Year Completed | 1901 (125 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,825 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,825 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 88 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of San Diego |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00112 |
| Federal ID | CA00112 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |