San Vicente

San Vicente Creek· San Diego, California· Built 1943· Roller-Compacted Concrete· 338 ft tall
High Hazard Other Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

San Vicente is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1943 and is 83 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 338 ft (taller than 99% in CA)
Dam Length1,425 ft
Dam TypeRoller-Compacted Concrete
Max Storage245.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,675 acres
Drainage Area74 sq mi
Year Completed1943 (83 years old)
NID IDCA00113

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: December 1, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

City of San Diego

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of San Vicente?

San Vicente 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 San Vicente?

San Vicente is owned by City of San Diego (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was San Vicente built?

San Vicente was completed in 1943, making it 83 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 San Vicente?

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

How tall is San Vicente?

San Vicente has a dam height of 338 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 San Vicente last inspected?

San Vicente was last inspected on December 1, 2021. 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.