Sutherland is a multi-arch dam located in San Diego County, California, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 162 ft162 ft tall and 1,020 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic arch section and the water level is illustrative.
About Sutherland
Sutherland is a dam in San Diego, California. The dam is owned by City of San Diego (local government). It impounds the Santa Ysabel Creek near San Pasqual.
The dam stands 162 feet tall and stretches 1,020 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 550 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 29,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 54 square miles. Completed in 1954, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 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 05/07/2025.
At 162 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 | San Pasqual |
| River/Stream | Santa Ysabel Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.11820, -116.78520 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Multi-Arch |
| NID Height | 162 ft |
| Dam Height | 162 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,020 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 29,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 29,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 550 acres |
| Drainage Area | 54 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | City of San Diego |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/07/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00114 |
| Federal ID | CA00114 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |