This article was accepted into the corpus but its outbound wikilinks were never NER-processed — typical at the deepest BFS hop or when the run's entity cap was reached. No expansion funnel to show.
| Cherry Ridge Reservoir | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cherry Ridge Reservoir |
| Location | Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Inflow | West Branch Lackawanna River |
| Outflow | West Branch Lackawanna River |
| Catchment | Lackawanna River watershed |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Area | 150 acres |
| Max depth | 25 ft |
| Elevation | 1,800 ft |
Cherry Ridge Reservoir
Cherry Ridge Reservoir is a man-made impoundment in northeastern Pennsylvania serving as a regional water resource and recreational site. The reservoir functions within the broader Lackawanna River and Susquehanna River systems and interfaces with municipal infrastructure, conservation efforts, and outdoor recreation networks. It is situated near communities and landscapes associated with the Pocono Mountains, Waymart, and Prompton State Park corridor.
Cherry Ridge Reservoir provides water storage, flood attenuation, and habitat within the Lackawanna River basin and contributes to downstream flows into the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The site is managed by local water authorities in coordination with state agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and regional planners from Waymart Borough and Susquehanna County. Historically and presently, the reservoir links to transportation routes including Interstate 84 (Pennsylvania–New York) and regional rail corridors near Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
The reservoir lies on a tributary of the Lackawanna River in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province, near ridges associated with the Pocono Mountains and glacial landforms like moraines and kettle topography documented across northeastern Pennsylvania. Surface water enters from the West Branch and smaller perennial streams draining mixed hardwood forests dominated by species found in the Allegheny Highlands ecoregion. Watershed boundaries align with municipal borders including Lehman Township and Canaan Township (Wayne County, Pennsylvania). Seasonal hydrology responds to precipitation patterns influenced by nor'easters tracking along the Atlantic Coast and to snowmelt from continental air masses shaped by the Laurentide Ice Sheet legacy.
The reservoir was developed in the mid-20th century amid regional waterworks expansion driven by population centers such as Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Honesdale. Design and construction involved civil engineering firms and contractors experienced with dam projects akin to works overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies. The dam structure employs earthen embankment techniques paralleling other Pennsylvania reservoirs like those at Prompton Lake and Tunkhannock Creek Reservoir. Permitting processes engaged entities including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for habitat assessments and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for fisheries considerations. Land acquisition and project planning intersected with regional economic developments tied to industries centered in Lackawanna County and Wayne County.
The reservoir and surrounding riparian zones host assemblages typical of northeastern hardwood forests, with flora and fauna comparable to habitats protected in nearby Prompton State Park and Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridors. Aquatic communities include warmwater fish species managed under programs by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and documented in inventories used by the U.S. Geological Survey. Terrestrial wildlife encompasses mammals such as white-tailed deer, black bear, and small carnivores recorded by the Pennsylvania Game Commission; avifauna includes migratory songbirds that connect to networks tracked by the Audubon Society and the National Audubon Society. Wetland patches support amphibians monitored by researchers affiliated with institutions like Penn State University and conservation groups such as The Nature Conservancy.
Cherry Ridge Reservoir accommodates angling, boating, birdwatching, and hiking consistent with recreational frameworks in northeastern Pennsylvania. Anglers pursue species regulated under statewide seasons and limits promulgated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; small non-motorized craft are common, paralleling use patterns at Prompton Lake and Lake Wallenpaupack. Public access points and trailheads connect to local roadways and parking managed by municipal authorities and volunteers from organizations such as local chapters of the Sierra Club and Appalachian Mountain Club. Nearby lodging and services in towns like Honesdale and Scranton support tourism related to outdoor recreation and heritage destinations including the Steamtown National Historic Site.
Operational oversight involves coordination among water utilities, county emergency management, and state regulators including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Dam safety inspections follow standards influenced by federal guidance from agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and engineering criteria used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Land use and zoning around the watershed involve county planning commissions and local governments such as Susquehanna County officials, with conservation easements and land trusts engaging organizations like Natural Lands to protect buffer areas.
Challenges include nutrient loading, sedimentation, invasive species, and episodic algal blooms similar to issues addressed in the Chesapeake Bay Program and studies by the U.S. Geological Survey on northeastern reservoirs. Conservation responses involve watershed management plans, riparian restoration projects, and best management practices promoted by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and research from universities such as University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. Collaborative initiatives link municipal stakeholders, state agencies, and NGOs like The Nature Conservancy and regional watershed associations to enhance water quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience in the reservoir’s catchment.
Category:Reservoirs in Pennsylvania