Lake Merced

Beneath the surface of Lake Merced’s placid waters lies a tapestry of stories. Lake Merced whispers tales of ambition, rivalry, and the ever-changing landscape of San Francisco. Lake Merced sits on the outskirts of San Francisco, near Ocean Beach and Daly City. It’s a vital freshwater resource for the city and a haven for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. Two golf courses, the nine-hole Fleming course and TPC Harding Park, embrace its shores. TPC Harding Park hosted prestigious events like the 2009 President’s Cup and the 2020 PGA Championship. Lake Merced’s history stretches back to 1775, when Captain Don Bruno de Heceta christened it Laguna de Nuestra Señora de la Merced. In 1868, the Spring Valley Water Company acquired Lake Merced’s water rights, aiming to monopolize San Francisco’s water supply. This sparked decades of legal battles with the city. The dream of using Lake Merced as the city’s primary reservoir faded with the construction of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in 1908. Lake Merced’s ecological balance has been a concern. Its water level declined for decades due to development and over-pumping of the Westside Aquifer. This impacted the lake’s once thriving fish population, which had exceeded 250,000. Efforts are underway to stabilize and even raise the water level using recycled water. The lake’s past includes a darker chapter. In 1859, it was the site of a duel between Chief Justice David S. Terry and Senator David C. Broderick, resulting in Broderick’s death. For years, the Pacific Rod and Gun Club operated on Lake Merced, leaving behind a legacy of lead contamination. A $22 million cleanup addressed the soil contamination, but not the lead shot in the lake itself. Lake Merced, once envisioned as the heart of San Francisco’s water supply, has become a place of recreation, natural beauty, and a reminder of the city’s complex past.