San Diego began repair work at the Hodges Reservoir dam, addressing known deterioration at a major component of the regional water system.
Dam work is shaped by safety requirements and by the need to manage water levels while inspections and construction proceed. Limits at Hodges also affect recreation and the amount of local water the city can store.
The repairs were a near-term response to an old facility. Longer-term decisions would still have to consider rehabilitation, replacement costs and the reservoir's role in a changing water-supply portfolio.