Thursday, September 20, 2018

Lake Murray - San Diego County, California


Visited on 9/13/2018, during a visit to the San Diego area proctoring Drinking Water Operator Certification examinations in the evening after the exams I explored several lakes in the area.  Lake Murray is a "in town" reservoir in La Mesa, California, operated by the City of San Diego's Public Utilities Department. It is located at 633 feet above sea level within the Mission Trails Regional Park near La Mesa. When full, the reservoir covers 171.1 surface acres, has a maximum water depth of 95 feet, and a shoreline of 3.2 miles.  The asphalt-paved service road lining roughly two-thirds of the lake's perimeter is a popular recreation site for the Navajo community. It lies south of Cowles Mountain and 10 miles northeast of San Diego’s downtown.
The reservoir was formed in 1894 with the construction of an earthen dam, and was known as La Mesa Reservoir.  In 1910 the dam and reservoir were bought by Ed Fletcher as part of his Cuyamaca Water Company. Following the great San Diego County flooding in 1916 (associated with the rainmaker Charles Hatfield), the reservoir was the principal source of water for the city of San Diego. In 1919 the dam was enlarged and the capacity of the reservoir greatly expanded. The dam and lake were renamed in 1924 after James A. Murray, one of Fletcher's investors in the water company. Fletcher sold the Cuyamaca Water Company, including Lake Murray, to the La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Spring Valley Irrigation District in 1926. The irrigation district then sold the lake to the city of San Diego in 1932.

Lake Murray is a popular site for hikers, cyclists, and runners who travel around the periphery of the lake. It is not possible to cross the dam and complete the loop like nearby Miramar Reservoir but there is 3.2 miles of path with access at multiple points.
Kayaking and catch-and-release fishing are both allowed on the reservoir. Birdwatchers enjoy visiting Lake Murray where ducks, geese, and herons abound. At least 149 bird species have been observed and recorded here.


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