Savage

Otay River· San Diego, California· Built 1919· Gravity· 149 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Savage is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1919 and is 107 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 149 ft (taller than 89.8% in CA)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage56.5K acre-ft
Surface Area1,110 acres
Drainage Area101 sq mi
Year Completed1919 (107 years old)
NID IDCA00109

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 13, 2022
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 Savage?

Savage 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 Savage?

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

When was Savage built?

Savage was completed in 1919, making it 107 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 Savage?

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

How tall is Savage?

Savage has a dam height of 149 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 Savage last inspected?

Savage was last inspected on December 13, 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.