On Wednesday, the City of San Diego opened the gates at Hodges Reservoir, sending water into the San Dieguito River in a controlled release meant to ease pressure on the aging dam and protect downstream communities. City crews said they will closely monitor the flows as runoff from recent storms has raised the lake’s level.
Why the release is happening
According to FOX 5 San Diego, the release is intended to keep Hodges Reservoir at or below a state-ordered elevation cap of roughly 280 feet above sea level, set under Division of Safety of Dams guidance. The city says the water will be discharged in a controlled manner into the river channel and that visitors should use caution as water levels along the river may rise, according to the City of San Diego.
Coordination and downstream impact
City crews are coordinating operations with local water agencies to maximize use of the water and limit what must be sent downriver, according to Times of San Diego. The lower elevation cap is meant to reduce risk to downstream communities and infrastructure if the century-old dam were stressed, as the San Diego Reader has noted.
Dam repairs and past releases
Hodges Dam has been under repair for several years after inspections found concrete deterioration and other defects, and the city has been planning a long-range replacement project, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Previous controlled releases, including roughly 250 million gallons in late 2022, were carried out during heavy rain to lower the lake and protect the structure, as KPBS reported.
What residents should know
Officials say they will continue to monitor weather forecasts and reservoir levels and could schedule additional controlled releases if heavy rain continues, per FOX 5 San Diego. Visitors to the San Dieguito River Park and nearby trails are urged to avoid low-water crossings and to follow posted advisories from the City of San Diego.
