Lake Murray (California)
| Lake Murray | |
|---|---|
viewed from the air, north to Cowles Mountain
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| Location | San Diego, California |
| Coordinates | 32°47′10″N 117°02′39″W / 32.7861°N 117.0442°WCoordinates: 32°47′10″N 117°02′39″W / 32.7861°N 117.0442°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 171.1 acres (69.2 ha) |
| Max. depth | 95 ft (29 m) |
Lake Murray is a reservoir in San Diego, California, operated by the City of San Diego's Public Utilities Department. It is located within 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). 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 is an important reporting point for aircraft inbound to land at Montgomery Field Airport (identifier: KMYF).
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.
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. The reservoir also has Florida-strain largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, and trout (stocked November–May).
The most discussed species found dwelling Lake Murray is the native mermaids. It is unclear how they came to inhabit the lake, but there have been several confirmed sighting and 6 severe cases of contact. Lake Murray's mermaids are known to be secretive creatures, only surfacing at dusk and dawn.
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