El Capitan Reservoir water level
Source: waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-11020600, accessed October 1, 2026. Updated every 6 hours.
El Capitan Reservoir is at 8% of full pool (640.19 ft) as of September 29, 2026. El Capitan Reservoir was last full on May 11, 2011 (95.1% of normal storage). El Capitan Reservoir is near Lakeside, California. It has restrooms, picnic area, and boat launch, managed by City of San Diego Public Utilities Department. Check current swimming advisories at El Capitan Reservoir hours and rules (City of San Diego) before you go.
El Capitan Reservoir level history
This site counts a reservoir as full on a day its storage is at or above 95% of the dam's normal storage (National Inventory of Dams). Many reservoirs rarely reach 100%, even in wet years, because operators release water for irrigation, power or flood control before they fill, so this site treats 95% as full. Highs and lows are daily readings in the published data, not official records. Source: USGS daily data.
Storage, % of full pool, since 1987
El Capitan Reservoir is falling: 8% full, down 0.1 percentage points since September 27, 2026.
Weekly averages of the source's daily readings; older years may be monthly or sparser where that is all the source published. Download the charted data (JSON).
El Capitan Reservoir map
El Capitan Reservoir is at 32.8823, -116.8092. Open in OpenStreetMap.
The dam
- Water supply
Sources: nid.sec.usace.army.mil, accessed September 29, 2026
Visiting El Capitan Reservoir
- Restrooms
- Picnic area
- Boat launch
No camping at the reservoir.
Good to know:
- Water activities limited to canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and float tubes. Personal watercraft, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wading are not allowed.
- Drinking-water supply reservoir; body-contact swimming is prohibited.
Swimming
Designated swim area: Swimming and wading prohibited (drinking-water reservoir).
Water-quality and swimming advisories change without notice. Always check El Capitan Reservoir hours and rules (City of San Diego) before you go.
Sources: sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/el-capitan-reservoir, accessed September 28, 2026
On the water
No campgrounds, boat ramps, or swim spots linked to El Capitan Reservoir yet.
Common questions
- El Capitan Reservoir is at 8% of full pool (640.19 ft) as of September 29, 2026.
- El Capitan Reservoir was last full on May 11, 2011, when it held 95.1% of its normal storage (elevation 744.02 ft). This site counts a reservoir as full on a day its storage is at or above 95% of the dam's normal storage (National Inventory of Dams). Many reservoirs rarely reach 100%, even in wet years, because operators release water for irrigation, power or flood control before they fill, so this site treats 95% as full. Based on USGS daily data since October 1, 1987.
- In USGS daily data since October 1, 1987, El Capitan Reservoir's highest storage was 100.3% of normal storage on March 27, 1993. Its lowest after it first filled (March 2, 1993) was 8% of normal storage on September 25, 2026. These are the highest and lowest daily readings in the published data, not official records.
- El Capitan Reservoir is near Lakeside, California (32.8823, -116.8092).
- Local Government operates the dam at El Capitan Reservoir.
- El Capitan Reservoir's dam is used for Water supply.
- Recreation schedule and closed days are posted on the City reservoir page; confirm before travel. Cash or check only for permits. Fees: General admission adult 16-65 (includes fishing permit) $10, General admission youth 8-15 $5, General admission senior 65+ $7, Private boat launching $10.
- El Capitan Reservoir has designated swimming at: Swimming and wading prohibited (drinking-water reservoir). Check current advisories at El Capitan Reservoir hours and rules (City of San Diego) before you go.