Water from the 108-year-old Lake Hodges dam will be released into the San Dieguito River to meet safety requirements, the city of San Diego said Wednesday. The city said recent rain raised the levels of the Hodges Reservoir beyond the 280-foot-elevation threshold set by the Division of Safety of Dams, making the water release necessary. The 280-foot level is 35 feet below the dam’s spillway. The threshold is set to “protect downstream communities and ensure the safe operation of Hodges Dam,” a city statement read. The controlled release will be directed into the river channel. San Diego staff are coordinating with the Santa Fe Irrigation District and the San Dieguito Water District to “maximize beneficial use of the water and minimize impacts.” The Lake Hodges Dam was built in 1918 and was purchased by the city in 1925. A long-term plan was in the works to replace the dam entirely, but a significant increase in estimated costs — from $275 million to up to $697 million — the city said it planned to re-evaluate options. A report released in September 2025 by the state’s dam safety board listed the Hodges Reservoir’s condition as unsatisfactory, meaning the dam requires immediate repair, and the potential for downstream hazards if the dam should fail as extremely high. The reservoir covers 1,234 acres and has a water storage capacity of 30,251 acre-feet. City News Service contributed to this report. ...read more read less