Cherry Valley

Cherry Creek· Tuolumne, California· Built 1956· Earth· 315 ft tall
High Hazard Other Irrigation Hydroelectric Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cherry Valley is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is other. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 315 ft (taller than 98.5% in CA)
Dam Length2,630 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage273.5K acre-ft
Surface Area1,535 acres
Drainage Area114 sq mi
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDCA00125

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 1, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cherry Valley?

Cherry Valley is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cherry Valley?

Cherry Valley is owned by San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cherry Valley built?

Cherry Valley was completed in 1956, making it 70 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Cherry Valley?

Cherry Valley serves the following purposes: Other, Irrigation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cherry Valley?

Cherry Valley has a dam height of 315 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Cherry Valley last inspected?

Cherry Valley was last inspected on June 1, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.