San Diego Proactively Manages Aging Reservoirs Ahead of Potential ‘Super’ El Niño

San Diego, CA, September 12, 2026 — San Diego is implementing proactive measures to manage its aging reservoir system in preparation for a potential ‘Super’ El Niño event. The city’s efforts focus on Lake Hodges and Lake Murray, both identified as critical infrastructure requiring careful oversight.

Both Lake Hodges and Lake Murray have been classified with an “extremely high” downstream hazard rating. This designation stems from a combination of seismic safety concerns and state-imposed restrictions on water levels, which limit the reservoirs’ operational capacity and heighten flood risks during periods of significant rainfall.

In response to these concerns and to mitigate potential downstream flood risks, the city is actively drawing down the current water levels in these reservoirs. Furthermore, plans are underway for necessary repairs to the Lake Hodges Dam. These actions are designed to enhance the safety and resilience of the infrastructure as the region prepares for the possibility of intense weather associated with an El Niño phenomenon.

The state-imposed water level restrictions mean that the reservoirs cannot be filled to their full capacity, a factor that complicates management during anticipated heavy precipitation events. By reducing the stored water and addressing structural integrity, San Diego aims to reduce the potential impact of extreme weather on communities located downstream from these aging water bodies.

Story summarized from the original created by Thomas Murphy • Times of San Diego on timesofsandiego.com, see more information here.

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