Cherokee is an earth dam located in Calaveras County, California, built in 1959. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 44 ft44 ft tall and 550 ft long, taller than 89% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Cherokee
The primary purpose of Cherokee is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by W.a. Spence Et Ux (private). It impounds the Cherokee Creek.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 61 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 630 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1959, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 05/02/2025.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | Calaveras |
| River/Stream | Cherokee Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.08080, -120.60940 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 630 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 630 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 61 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | W.a. Spence Et Ux |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/02/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00628 |
| Federal ID | CA00628 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |