Cheat Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheat Lake |
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| Lake Lynn | |
Lake Lynn Dam
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 Cheat Lake
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Monongalia, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°43′10″N 79°51′24″W / 39.71944°N 79.85667°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Cheat River |
| Managing agency | Lake Lynn Generation, LLC |
| Built | 1925 |
| Max. length | 13 mi (21 km) |
| Surface area | 1,730 acres (700 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 870 ft (270 m) |
| Settlements | Morgantown, West Virginia |
Cheat Lake is a large, man-made lake in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States. It's about 13-mile-long (21 km) and was created on the Cheat River.
This lake was once called Lake Lynn. However, in 1976, a group called the United States Board on Geographic Names officially decided its name should be Cheat Lake. The lake covers an area of about 1,730 acres (700 ha). It is located right after a 10-mile-long (16 km) section of the river known as the Cheat Canyon.
Discover Cheat Lake!
What is Cheat Lake?
Cheat Lake is a type of lake called a reservoir. A reservoir is a special kind of lake that is created by building a dam across a river. This helps to store water for different uses, like making electricity.
The Cheat Lake Dam
The dam that created Cheat Lake is called the Cheat Lake Dam. It is located very close to the border with Pennsylvania. This dam is quite big, stretching about 1,000 feet (300 m) across the Cheat River.
The dam is managed by a team of eleven people. It plays an important role in generating electricity. It can produce up to 52 megawatts (70,000 hp) of power. The first time water flowed over the dam was on December 23, 1925. It officially started making electricity on May 31, 1926.
Fun on the Lake
Cheat Lake is a popular spot for many activities. There are three marinas located on the lake. Marinas are like parking lots for boats. They are usually found towards the river end of the lake.
The three marinas on Cheat Lake are:
- Edgewater Marina
- Cheat Lake Marina
- Sunset Beach Marina
These marinas offer places for boats to dock and often provide services for people who want to enjoy the water.
