Imagine treetops where you expect water. That is Lake Hodges in San Diego. It is a diverse treasure. It boasts wildlife habitat and world-class bass fishing. There are biking and hiking trails. Lake Hodges is a sophisticated water storage project for our arid region.
Lake Hodges came from William Henshaw and Colonel Ed Fletcher. The Santa Fe Railway financed it. W.E. Hodges was the railroad’s vice president. That is how Lake Hodges got its name.
Construction on Lake Hodges Dam began in 1917. Engineer John S. Eastwood designed it. Pouring concrete took only 12 months. The dam faced its first test before completion. Severe flooding overtopped the dam in March 1918. The design held. The project was undamaged.
This November, Lake Hodges Dam will be 105 years old. It is part of a complex water system. The City of San Diego maintains it. The system serves about 1.5 million customers. These customers reside in San Diego, Del Mar, Coronado and Imperial Beach.
Local supplies account for 10% to 15% of annual needs. Imported water supplies 85% to 90%. The Metropolitan Water District gets water from the Colorado River and northern California.
The City of San Diego owns the Lake Hodges dam. It connects to the San Dieguito Water District. It shares pipes with other water districts. Lake Hodges became part of the Water Authority’s Emergency Storage Project in the early 2000s. This system makes water available during interruptions in imported water deliveries.
Facilities connect Lake Hodges to the Olivenhain Reservoir. A pump station draws or discharges water. It uses a 10-foot diameter underground pipeline. This gives the Water Authority storage for emergency use. Water can be pumped between the reservoirs.
When water transfers downhill from Olivenhain Reservoir into Lake Hodges it generates hydroelectric energy. It generates enough power for nearly 26000 homes. This has been happening since 2012.
Lake Hodges was a fisherman’s paradise. It had long shores and varying depths. There are Florida-strain largemouth bass in the lake. The city introduced Florida bass strains into local lakes. This resulted in larger bass in area lakes.
Lake Hodges produced a 20.25-pound bass in 1995. Great hiking trails surround Lake Hodges. The Coast to Crest trail runs along the north side of the lake. Walkers, hikers and bicyclists enjoy it. Near Interstate 15, a suspension bridge spans the lake.
Before the dam, the Carroll brothers each had a ranch there. Ed Fletcher convinced them to sell. San Dieguito needed a reliable water supply. The village of Del Dios sprang up after the lake formed. It was a Boy Scout camp. It was a getaway spot for city slickers.
So next time you cross the bridge over Lake Hodges remember its history. Think of the visionaries who created it. Consider the wildlife it supports. Appreciate the water it provides. Lake Hodges is more than just a lake. It is a vital part of San Diego.