DEL DIOS — As the water level at Lake Hodges remains low, neighbors fear what could happen if a wildfire tears through their valley again, as it did nearly two decades ago — this time with a much smaller water barrier to slow the spread.
Efforts continue to urge the City of San Diego, which owns Hodges Dam, to raise the lake level from 280 to 295 feet. The lake’s maximum capacity is 315 feet.
Four years ago, the city completed a risk assessment for Hodges Dam that found its risk score exceeded industry standards. The assessment also identified potential failure scenarios in the event of a major earthquake or a significant multiday rain event…