Pulgas Lake Dam

PIEDRA DE LUBRE CREEK· San Diego, California· Built 1953· Earth· 42 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Pulgas Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 42 ft (taller than 50.1% in CA)
Dam Length390 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage122 acre-ft
Normal Storage101 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge1,000 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
Year Modified1980
NID IDCA10130

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: Yes
Last Inspection: June 23, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

DOD USMC

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pulgas Lake Dam?

Pulgas Lake Dam 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 Pulgas Lake Dam?

Pulgas Lake Dam is owned by DOD USMC (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pulgas Lake Dam built?

Pulgas Lake Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Pulgas Lake Dam?

Pulgas Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pulgas Lake Dam?

Pulgas Lake Dam has a dam height of 42 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 Pulgas Lake Dam last inspected?

Pulgas Lake Dam was last inspected on June 23, 2017. 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.