Preparing the Foundation

The first phase of construction for the San Vicente Dam Raise project is now well under way. Construction crews are using controlled blasts at the San Vicente site almost daily to excavate new roads and the foundations for the dam raise. The contractor is also removing pieces of concrete from the existing dam and demolishing the former marina. During this phase of the project, the contractor is likely to work some Saturdays to stay on schedule, but the Water Authority does not anticipate that this work will affect nearby residents.

Sign up for regular project update emails by typing your email address in the box at the top of the page.

Project Description

The San Vicente Dam Raise is part of the Emergency Storage Project, a system of reservoirs, interconnected pipelines, and pumping stations designed to make water available to the San Diego region in the event of an interruption in imported water deliveries.

San Vicente Dam currently stands at 220 feet and can store up to 90,000 acre-feet of water. The dam raise project will increase the height of the dam by 117 feet – the tallest dam raise in the United States and the tallest of its type in the world. The raised dam will store an additional 152,000 acre-feet of water, more than doubling the capacity of the reservoir.

The environmental studies were completed in 2008.

San Vicente Dam Raise Fact Sheet

Construction Schedule

Construction of the San Vicente Dam Raise project began in June 2009 and will take about four years. Construction will take place in multiple phases, as follows:

• Foundation preparatory work: summer 2009 – summer 2010
• Dam raise: spring 2010 – late 2012
• Bypass pipeline: 2012
• New marina construction: 2012
• Site restoration: early 2013

Recreation at San Vicente Reservoir

To assure public safety during construction, the reservoir is closed to boating, fishing, and all other water recreation. San Vicente Reservoir will reopen to recreation after construction sometime between 2014 and 2017, as soon as the water level reaches the boat launch ramp at the new marina. The amount of time needed to refill the reservoir will depend on water supply and demand.

The new marina will feature many new improvements once the reservoir is reopened. The Water Authority will improve the reservoir's access road, making it wider and less steep. The boat ramp will be expanded and extended, and the size of the parking area will be increased. Additional shade trees and picnic areas at the marina will provide more options for recreational visitors to the reservoir.

New Marina Rendering

San Vicente Reservoir High Watermark Map

Printable Version

San Vicente Dam Cross Section Diagram

Printable Version

Photographic Tour

Click here to view a photographic tour that shows aspects of construction at the San Vicente Dam Raise.

Community Information Updates

• San Vicente Dam Raise Construction Update Postcard -- September 2009
• Start of Construction & Blasting Letter – July 15, 2009
• San Vicente Dam Raise Construction Update Email – June 2009
• Dam Raise Construction Start Postcard – June 2009
• San Vicente Dam Raise Construction Update Email - February 2009
• San Vicente Reservoir Closing Postcard - August 2008
• Reservoir Summer Schedule Postcard - April 2008
• Final EIR/EIS Community Notification Letter - April 11, 2008
• Reservoir Closure Update Postcard - Sept. 2007
• EIR/EIS Community Notice of Availability Letter - Aug. 27, 2007
• Reservoir Summer Schedule Returns Postcard - April 2007
• San Vicente Reservoir Closure Update Letter – Dec. 1, 2006
• Reservoir Closure Update Postcard – Dec. 2006
• EIR/EIS Community Update Letter – Oct. 10, 2006

Community Meeting Summaries

• November 2009 – Lakeside Community Planning Group Update
• July 15, 2009 – Lakeside Community Planning Group Update
• June 2009 – Lakeside Community Planning Group Update
• February 2009 – Lakeside Community Planning Group Update
• September 2008 – Lakeside Community Planning Group Update
• May 21, 2008 – Lakeside Community Planning Group
• May 14, 2008 – Lakeside Design Review Board
• Feb. 20, 2008 – Lakeside Planning Group
• Oct. 17, 2007 – Lakeside Planning Group
• June 11, 2007– Valley Center Community Planning Group
• June 6, 2007 – Lakeside Planning Group
• May 2, 2007 – Lakeside Planning Group
• Feb. 21, 2007 – Lakeside Planning Group
• Oct. 18, 2006 – Lakeside Planning Group
• Oct. 16, 2006 – Valley Center Community Planning Group
• Sept. 20, 2006 – Lakeside Planning Group
• Nov. 7, 2005 – Lakeside Chamber of Commerce
• Nov. 2, 2005 - Lakeside Planning Group
• July 20, 2005 - Lakeside Planning Group

City Lakes and Recreation

San Vicente Reservoir is owned and operated by the city of San Diego. For more information about other city reservoirs while San Vicente is closed, please visit the City Lakes and Recreation web page at: www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/index.shtml.

Contact Us