Murray Reservoir

In coordination with the State Division of Safety of Dams, the water level at Murray Dam has been restricted to 90 feet. Following the Fourth of July fireworks show that occurs over Murray Reservoir, the State Division of Drinking Water requires the City to conduct water quality testing before using any of the water in Murray for drinking water. During this testing period, water from El Capitan or San Vicente reservoirs will be sent to the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant to supply residents with drinking water. As a part of the normal operations of the treatment plant, filter backflows will increase the reservoir level between 3 to 6 inches daily during this period. To ensure that the water level does not exceed the 90-foot limit during this testing period when the water from Murray is not being used, the water level is being preemptively lowered to 80 feet, ahead of the Fourth of July fireworks. Between 80 and 86 feet, the private boat launch ramp is unavailable. Additionally, shoreline access to the water will be unavailable due to unsafe, muddy conditions. We anticipate the water level will return to 86 feet in early August.