Lake Murray (California)

Lake Murray is a reservoir in San Diego, California, operated by the City of San Diego's Public Utilities Department. Although thinly divided by a few housing communities and select roadways, it is technically considered to be part of the jurisdiction which makes up Mission Trails Regional Park. When full, the reservoir covers 171.1 acres (69.2 ha), has a maximum water depth of 95 feet (29 m), and a shoreline of 3.2 miles (5.1 km).[1] The asphalt-paved service road lining roughly two-thirds of the lake's perimeter is a popular recreation site for the Navajo community as well as residents of the northernmost neighborhoods in La Mesa. It lies south of Cowles Mountain and a small golf course. It also functions as an important aeronautical reporting point for aircraft inbound to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (identifier: KMYF).

Lake Murray
Lake Murray viewed from the air
Location of Lake Murray in California, USA.
Location of Lake Murray in California, USA.
Lake Murray
Location of Lake Murray in California, USA.
Location of Lake Murray in California, USA.
Lake Murray
LocationSan Diego, California
Coordinates32.7861°N 117.0442°W / 32.7861; -117.0442
TypeReservoir
Basin countriesUnited States
Managing agencyCity of San Diego
Surface area171.1 acres (69.2 ha)
Max. depth95 ft (29 m)
Websitewww.sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/murray-reservoir

History

The reservoir was formed in 1894 with the construction of an earthen dam, and was known as La Mesa Reservoir.[2][3] In 1910 the dam and reservoir were bought by Ed Fletcher as part of his Cuyamaca Water Company.[4] 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.[5] In 1919, the dam was enlarged and the capacity of the reservoir greatly expanded.[3] The dam and lake were renamed in 1924 after James A. Murray, one of Fletcher's investors in the water company.[3] Fletcher sold the Cuyamaca Water Company, including Lake Murray, to the La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Spring Valley Irrigation District in 1926. The city of San Diego took over operation of the reservoir in 1950, and purchased the reservoir in 1960.[6]

Ecology

At least 149 species of birds have been observed and recorded at Lake Murray. Among other species, the lake supports flocks of the endangered tricolored blackbird.[7] The reservoir also has Florida-strain largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, and trout (stocked November–May).[8]

The area also contains many endemic or naturalized plant species which include: Baccharis sarothroides, encelia californica, eriogonum fasciculatum, agave attenuata (Foxtail agave), opuntia littoralis (Coastal prickly pear), ferocactus viridescens (San Diego barrel cactus), pseudognaphalium californicum, datura wrightii (Sacred datura), artemisia californica, malosma laurina, ambrosia deltoidea, corymbia citriodora, schinus molle (Peruvian peppertree), hesperoyucca whipplei, tamarix ramosissima, centaurea melitensis, calystegia macrostegia, adenostoma fasciculatum, euphorbia peplus, ricinus communis, hirschfeldia incana, crocanthemum scoparium, rumex crispus, carduus pycnocephalus, carpobrotus edulis, schoenoplectus californicus (California bulrush), myoporum laetum, salix nigra, foeniculum vulgare, callistemon citrinus and schinus terebinthifolia among others.

Recreational usage
A family feed the ducks at Lake Murray

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 mi (5.1 km) of path with access at multiple points.[9]

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.[10]

Lake Murray is open for shore fishing and private boats, kayaks, and float tubes seven days a week.[11] The Department of Fish and Wildlife stock the reservoir with Florida-strain largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie and trout.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Murray Reservoir | Reservoirs and Lakes | City of San Diego Official Website".
  2. Jezek, George Ross and Roger Showley. San Diego: Then and Now. 2000. p.140.
  3. Fetzer, Leland. San Diego County Place Names, A to Z. Sunbelt Publications. 2005. p.99.
  4. Lister, Priscilla. Take a Hike: San Diego County: A Hiking Guide to 260 Trails in San Diego County. Archway Publishing. 2016.
  5. Federal Writers Project of the Works Progress Administration. San Diego in the 1930s: The WPA Guide to America's Finest City. University of California Press. 2013. p. 113.
  6. "Murray Reservoir | Reservoirs and Lakes | City of San Diego Official Website".
  7. eBird. 2009. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance (web application). Version 2. eBird, Ithaca, New York. Available: . (Accessed: Date [e.g., February 1, 2009 ]).
  8. http://www.mtrp.org/lake_murray.asp January 2012. Mission Trails Regional Park Online.
  9. Mission Trails Regional Park - Lake Murray
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Lake Murray – Mission Trails Regional Park". Mission Trails Regional Park. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  12. "Murray Reservoir | Water Department". The City of San Diego. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010.
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