Murray dam
Murray
Murray is a captivating multi-arch dam located in San Diego, California, along the Chaparral River. Completed in 1918, it stands at a towering height of 110 feet and has a storage capacity of 4818 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Murray is to serve as a water supply source for irrigation and domestic use in the region. It is regulated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Safety of Dams program, ensuring its safe operation and maintenance.
With a drainage area of 3.6 square miles and a surface area of 200 acres, Murray plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam has a high hazard potential and is assessed to be in fair condition as of September 2017. Regular inspections are conducted to monitor its structural integrity, with the most recent inspection taking place in May 2020. The dam is a vital infrastructure for water management in San Diego, contributing to the region's water supply and irrigation needs.
Murray's rich history and strategic location make it a significant landmark in California's water resource management. As a key component of the local government's water supply infrastructure, the dam serves as a testament to the region's commitment to sustainable water management practices. Its presence along the Chaparral River not only ensures reliable water supply but also highlights the importance of maintaining and regulating dams for climate resilience and water security in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Murray -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego R A Mast Rd Nr Santee Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| San Diego R A Fashion Valley At San Diego Ca | 9 cfs | → |
| Los Coches C Nr Lakeside Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater R A Dehesa Ca | · | → |
| Los Penasquitos C Nr Poway Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Jamul C Nr Jamul Ca | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murray.
Boat launches
- Mission Bay Drive San Diego
- Lake Miramar
- Shore Drive San Diego
- Glorietta Bay Marina A California Yacht Marina
- Public Boat Launching Facility
Campgrounds
- Kumeyaay Lake Campground - Mission Trails Park
- Admiral Baker Military - San Diego Ns
- Santee Lakes Regional Park
- Sweetwater Summit
- Lake Jennings
- Fiddlers Cove Rv Military - Coronado Nb
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Crouch Ranch To Morena Reservoir
- Forest Boundary, Above Zoo Creek Below Spillway (S1/2, Sec 3, T11s, R2e) To La Jolla Indian Reservation Boundary (N1/2, Sec 31, T10s, R2e)
- Cañon La Presa (Valle Las Palma To Presa Rodriguez)
- Confluence Of Fry And Iron Spring Creeks (E1/2, Sec 3, T10s,R1e To Se1/4 Sec 16, T10s, R2e
- Santa Margarita River
More reservoirs
Track Murray in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Murray
Where does the data for Murray come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Murray.