SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The community and authorities in North County are currently engaged in a concerted effort to address the challenge posed by the water levels at Lake Hodges. A significant obstacle they are encountering is the stringent state mandate regulating the permissible depth of lakes in California.
According to state regulations, lakes are mandated to maintain a depth no greater than 280 feet. However, amidst growing concerns, residents are advocating for an increase in the water level at Lake Hodges to 293 feet. The situation has become critical as recent measurements indicate that the lake’s water level has plummeted to 273 feet, marking the lowest recorded depth in the past four decades.
The pressing question on many minds now is whether San Diego will experience a white Christmas. The urgency to raise the water level is primarily driven by the heightened risk of wildfires in the region. The dense accumulation of dry brush surrounding the lake poses a substantial fire hazard, as it serves as potential fuel for a catastrophic blaze.
The significance of maintaining adequate water levels at the lake is underscored by the vital role it plays in firefighting efforts. During past wildfire incidents, such as the devastating Witch Creek fire in 2007, Lake Hodges has been a crucial water source for firefighting crews. The aftermath of the Witch Creek fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in San Diego County’s history, still lingers in the area’s landscape as a stark reminder of the fire’s impact.
In response to the shrinking size of the reservoir, a coalition of concerned citizens and advocates has emerged, calling for structural changes to the aging Lake Hodges dam. Constructed in 1918 in the Rancho Bernardo area, the dam has been earmarked for replacement due to its deteriorating condition over the years.
Complicating the situation further, the City of San Diego is currently bound by a state directive to maintain the lake’s water level at around 30% capacity. This directive led to substantial water releases following last winter’s storms, resulting in the current dwindling water levels due to a lack of rainfall this year. The dried-out lake now stands as a potential hotspot for ignition, raising fears of impending wildfires in the region.
Local residents are acutely aware of the heightened fire risk, with one resident, John Anshus, highlighting the vulnerability of the area to fire spread. He emphasized the potential danger posed by fire descending from the nearby Ramona area and engulfing the canyon due to the abundant fuel provided by the dried vegetation.
The advocacy group, Calls For Change to Lake Hodges, is actively pushing for the state’s approval to raise the water levels of the lake to mitigate the wildfire threat. Concurrently, the City of San Diego secured a significant $240 million loan earlier this year to initiate the initial steps towards replacing the aging dam structure.
In light of the evolving situation at Lake Hodges, it remains imperative for stakeholders to address the critical water level concerns and take proactive measures to safeguard the
