Lake Wohlford

Escondido Creek· San Diego, California· Built 1924· Earth· 100 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Irrigation Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Wohlford is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 100 ft (taller than 82.2% in CA)
Dam Length422 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage7.0K acre-ft
Surface Area225 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Year Completed1924 (102 years old)
NID IDCA00772

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

City of Escondido

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Wohlford?

Lake Wohlford is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Wohlford?

Lake Wohlford is owned by City of Escondido (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Wohlford built?

Lake Wohlford was completed in 1924, making it 102 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 Wohlford?

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

How tall is Lake Wohlford?

Lake Wohlford has a dam height of 100 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 Wohlford last inspected?

Lake Wohlford was last inspected on October 3, 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.