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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