Plans to rebuild the aging Lake Hodges Dam have hit a major roadblock, leaving San Diego officials, water agencies, and local residents in limbo. Originally projected at $275 million, the cost to replace the 106-year-old dam has now ballooned to between $500 and $700 million, according to a new 386-page consultant analysis. The staggering jump has led the San Diego County Water Authority to withdraw its commitment to cover half the cost, forcing the City of San Diego to explore other alternatives.
Lake Hodges, located in Escondido, has served as an emergency water supply for San Diego since World War I. But in 2022, the state declared the dam unsafe, citing flood risks, and ordered the city to lower water levels drastically. Since then, 12 billion gallons of water have been released, limiting both recreational activities like fishing, kayaking, and windsurfing and the ability to store low-cost rainwater. Officials say this shift has driven up water costs regionwide while also costing the Water Authority about $3 million annually due to lost reservoir transfer capacity.
The city’s original plan called for building a new dam 100 feet downstream by 2029. That timeline was already accelerated after the state labeled the dam “unsatisfactory,” but with costs now approaching triple the original estimates, officials are reassessing whether full replacement is feasible. A city spokesperson confirmed that “all alternatives will be thoroughly evaluated” to ensure safety while protecting ratepayers from soaring costs.
Not everyone is ready to give up on a replacement. Friends of Lake Hodges, a local advocacy group, says the dam remains a critical community asset and that safety must remain the top priority. Others, however, argue that with escalating water rates and competing infrastructure needs, San Diego may have to consider scaled-back solutions rather than an entirely new structure.
For now, the future of Lake Hodges is uncertain. What’s clear is that any potential rupture of the dam could have devastating consequences, flooding Rancho Santa Fe, much of the San Dieguito River Valley, and even parts of Del Mar. With the stakes so high, residents and water customers alike will be watching closely as the city weighs its next move.
What do you think? Should San Diego commit to replacing Lake Hodges Dam despite the higher costs, or should the city pursue alternatives that might be less expensive but still ensure safety?
