Thu Sep 12 00:27:03 UTC 2024: ## San Diego Awarded $240.6 Million for Lake Hodges Dam Upgrade

**San Diego, CA** – The City of San Diego has been awarded a $240.6 million loan from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fund critical improvements and potential replacement of the aging Lake Hodges dam. This funding comes from the Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP), established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to provide low-cost loans for non-federally owned dam projects.

Mayor Todd Gloria expressed his gratitude for the funding, stating that it will “help build a new dam at the Lake Hodges Reservoir” and ensure the safety of this vital piece of infrastructure. “The safety of our critical infrastructure, like our city-owned and -operated dams, is essential to public safety and lowering costs for ratepayers across our city,” he added.

The Lake Hodges project is one of 18 nationwide to receive funding through the CWIFP. The funds will be used to replace the century-old dam with a new roller-compacted concrete dam, located 100 feet downstream from the current structure. This project will ensure the dam meets modern safety standards.

The Lake Hodges Reservoir, with a capacity of 30,251 acre-feet, is a vital source of water for the region. Built in 1918, it has been crucial to San Diego’s water supply since the city acquired it in 1925. However, its age has led to restrictions on its water storage capacity, making the upgrade essential.

Congressman Scott Peters (D-San Diego) lauded the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for its commitment to critical infrastructure projects like this. “The Lake Hodges Dam is over a century old and one of 42 dams in California with restricted water storage. It’s important that the design and construction of our most critical infrastructure be of this century and able to withstand whatever mother nature throws its way,” he said.

Over the next year, San Diego engineers will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to finalize the loan terms and begin the project.

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