Lake Cuyamaca

Boulder Creek· San Diego, California· Built 1968· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lake Cuyamaca is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 11.1% in CA)
Dam Length1,027 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area110 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDCA00907

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: March 24, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Cuyamaca?

Lake Cuyamaca is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Cuyamaca?

Lake Cuyamaca is owned by Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Cuyamaca built?

Lake Cuyamaca was completed in 1968, making it 58 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Cuyamaca?

Lake Cuyamaca serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Cuyamaca?

Lake Cuyamaca has a dam height of 17 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Lake Cuyamaca last inspected?

Lake Cuyamaca was last inspected on March 24, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.