Cherry Valley

RACCOON CREEK· Washington, Pennsylvania· Built 1947· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Cherry Valley is classified as high hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 33 ft (taller than 69.3% in PA)
Dam Length475 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage604 acre-ft
Surface Area55 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDPA00508

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: March 12, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Ownership

CHERRY VALLEY LAKE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

Private

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 CHERRY VALLEY LAKE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cherry Valley built?

Cherry Valley was completed in 1947, making it 79 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: Recreation. 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 33 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 March 12, 2021. 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.