ESCONDIDO, Calif. — The condition of Lake Hodges Dam in San Diego has been downgraded from poor to unsatisfactory.
Lake Hodges Dam is more than 100 years old. The recent discovery of its deteriorating condition was uncovered in a letter sent to the City of San Diego from the Division of Safety of Dams or DSOD.
An unsatisfactory rating is the lowest that exists and means the dam needs immediate or emergency action.
"There's not an immediate threat," said Juan Guerreiro, the City of San Diego's Public Utilities Director.
The public works director says they're keeping the water at 280 feet to minimize risk as necessary repairs continue.
A modeling study looked into what would happen if a major earthquake of 7.0 magnitude or higher occurred. The study recommended a 280-foot water level would lessen the harm to communities nearby including Rancho Santa Fe.
"If there was a failure at a certain level these would be the communities that would potentially be impacted but this is why the level is restricted," Guerreiro said.
In the letter, DSOD asks for the water level to stay at 280 feet until major improvements are made, or the dam is replaced with a new one.
"It's an over 100-year-old dam that's been part of our history for a long time but it's time for it to be replaced," Guerreiro said.
The city is working with state agencies to speed up the timeline for a new dam.
"Based on the size, significance and complexity of the structure that big and complicated, 2034 is our most reasonable estimate at this point," he said.
With all the recent rain, The city has been releasing water from the dam so repair work can continue. The city is monitoring the water level on a daily basis.
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