Lake Murray, reservoir in San Diego, California, United States

Lake Murray is a reservoir in San Diego, California, formed in 1894 by an earthen dam and originally called La Mesa Reservoir. When full it covers 171.1 acres, reaches 95 feet deep and has a 3.2-mile shoreline. An asphalt service road lines about two-thirds of the perimeter, and the lake sits south of Cowles Mountain.

The reservoir was formed in 1894 by an earthen dam and was first called La Mesa Reservoir. James Andrew Murray and Ed Fletcher bought it in 1910 for the Cuyamaca Water Company; after the 1916 floods it became San Diego's main water source. The dam was enlarged in 1919 and the lake renamed for Murray in 1920. San Diego took over operation in 1950 and bought the reservoir in 1961.

The area is accessible during daylight hours with parking available and public access points along the shore. Bring sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes if you plan to explore the trails and waterfront areas.

Lake Murray doubles as a reporting point for pilots inbound to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, known by the identifier KMYF. Boaters and anglers share the water with aircraft traffic overhead, and the reservoir's shoreline path stops at the dam, so the full loop cannot be completed on foot.