Overview
Lower Otay Reservoir is an approximately 1,100-acre drinking-water reservoir in southern San Diego County near Chula Vista, owned and operated by the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department. Savage Dam (rebuilt in 1918 after the original Lower Otay Dam failed in 1916) impounds the Otay River and also receives imported Colorado River water via the Second San Diego Aqueduct.
When full at about 484.2 feet NGVD29, the reservoir has roughly 25 miles of shoreline, an average depth near 124 feet, and a maximum depth of about 137.5 feet, with storage near 47,000 acre-feet. Steep canyon walls, limited shoreline development, and clear municipal-reservoir water create a compact, deep basin suited to controlled recreation.
Public fishing and limited boating are offered under city reservoir rules, and the shoreline also hosts the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center for Olympic rowing. Fisheries fall under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, with access managed through the city's reservoir recreation program.
Water levels are managed by the City of San Diego for municipal supply and dam operations, rising and falling with local runoff, aqueduct imports, and system demand. Because the lake is a working water-supply reservoir, elevations can change enough to affect ramp and shoreline access, so monitoring current lake levels is helpful before a visit.
Current Conditions
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
- Active advisories1 active (Advisory)
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Lower Otay Reservoir is a 1,100-acre reservoir on the Otay River managed by City of San Diego Public Utilities Department.