(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  With the City of San Diego's recent move to mandatory water use restrictions, San Diegans know that water is more precious than ever. There is no time to waste and no water to waste. You can learn about this precious resource and have a fun day of recreation at the Lake Murray Reservoir in Mission Trails Regional Park. Lake Murray Reservoir has delighted many San Diegans and visitors by providing an array of exciting recreational activities and the sparkling water from the lake provides an enjoyable place for all ages to enjoy.

Lake Murray Reservoir is a community favorite for a brief escape to nature, boasting beautiful surroundings that are open for use seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. There is a 3.2 mile paved road leading from the parking lot to the reservoir dam gate where patrons must turn around and go back the way they came. You can treat yourself or your family to an out-of-the-ordinary bike ride, walk, jog or roller blade session along this road. Pets are welcome to come with you to Lake Murray Reservoir, as long as they are responsibly kept on leashes at all times and at least 50 feet away from the water. Please be courteous to other patrons and pick up after your pet. Mutt mitts are provided at several locations around the reservoir.

If you are seeking relaxation, the reservoir is an inviting location for a delicious picnic or barbecue, with 10 public barbecues and 64 picnic tables located around its shore. Patrons may also bring their own barbecues to use in designated areas, but no ground fires are allowed. Also, please dispose of your charcoal in concrete coal bins only. Alcohol and glass containers are not permitted at Lake Murray Reservoir.

You can also enjoy an adventurous day on the water at Lake Murray Reservoir, which is open seven days a week, year-round, for boating and fishing. Private boats may use the reservoir any day of the week, and kayaks, rowboats and motorboats are available for rent on Saturdays and Sundays from December through September. To reserve an all-day motorboat, call (619) 668-3274, Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. For more information on boat safety, please visit the California Department of Boating and Waterways' website at: www.dbw.ca.gov. Pets are not allowed on private or rental boats.

To facilitate your fishing trip's success, Lake Murray Reservoir is stocked with trout every two to three weeks from December through April by the California Department of Fish and Game. To obtain fishing information, please visit the City of San Diego Water Department's website, www.sandiego.gov/water. A state fishing license and daily fishing permit are required to fish at the reservoir. Patrons can purchase daily fishing permits from blue "Iron Ranger" pay stations located around the reservoir or from the electronic pay station near the concession building. There are no concession services available at Lake Murray Reservoir, so bring with you your state fishing license, bait and any refreshments you want. Twice a year, the California Department of Fish and Game waive the requirement for a state fishing license for anyone 16 or older. This year those two days will be July 4 (Independence Day) and September 7 (Labor Day). City daily permits will still be required.

In addition to being a wonderful recreation spot, Lake Murray Reservoir is also a drinking water reservoir that is an integral part of our water supply system. All of San Diego's reservoirs are man-made infrastructure projects built to capture runoff from rainfall and also to store water imported from hundreds of miles away for later use in homes and businesses. Water from Lake Murray Reservoir is treated at the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant, which is located at the reservoir, before distribution to citizens. To maintain Lake Murray Reservoir, and all City Reservoirs, as a cherished water resource and San Diego landmark, we count on you to do your part to preserve its beauty and protect the quality of our water by cleaning up, disposing of trash and recyclables properly in designated bins and following all rules.

For more info on upcoming events and other City Reservoirs near you, visit: www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation. For more info on the City's mandatory water use restrictions, visit: www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation/drought/.

Lake Murray Reservoir is located within Mission Trails Regional Park, which lies between the City of San Diego and the neighboring cities of La Mesa and Santee.  To get to Lake Murray Reservoir from Interstate 8, exit on Lake Murray Boulevard north and turn left on Kiowa Drive.  The reservoir is open for general recreation seven days a week, year-round, from sunrise to sunset.

The City of San Diego Water Department maintains the water supply system that serves San Diego, the City of Del Mar, the City of Coronado and parts of Imperial Beach and National City.  This system treats and delivers more than 200 million gallons of water daily that is transported through more than 3,000 miles of pipelines. For more info. visit www.sandiego.gov/water or call (619) 515-3500.

Written by Arian Collins, City of San Diego