Cheat Lake West Virginia Map

About Cheat Lake, West Virginia

Cheat Lake is a locality in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States. It has a population of 10,902. The population density is 282.3 people per km². Cheat Lake is located at 39.6720°N, 79.8534°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 26508.

Cheat Lake unfurls itself as a sapphire ribbon through rolling Appalachian foothills, its surface reflecting the bruised purples and fiery oranges of a West Virginia sunset. It lies 6.2 miles east-north-east of Morgantown, WV (from Morgantown, WV: bearing 62°T), and is situated 5.0 miles north-north-east of Brookhaven. The terrain here is a study in verdant contrasts, with dense stands of oak and maple clinging to steep slopes that plunge into the water's edge, their branches often dripping with the misty exhalations of the humid air. Along the shoreline, weathered docks jut out like hesitant fingers, and the occasional weathered boathouse, its paint peeling like sunburnt skin, speaks of seasons past and summers long enjoyed. The air, especially in the early morning, carries a clean, damp scent of pine needles and rich, dark earth, a subtle perfume that hints at the wildness just beyond the cultivated lawns and manicured gardens that fringe some of its bays. This expanse of water, a reservoir formed by the Cheat River, carries the whispers of a more turbulent past, a landscape once dominated by the deep scars of coal mining. The very name, Cheat, evokes a sense of caution, perhaps a nod to the river’s unpredictable nature before its taming. Today, the economic pulse of Cheat Lake beats to a different rhythm; while the echoes of industry remain, the primary hum is now one of recreation and residential life. Families gather on its shores for picnics, anglers cast their lines with quiet hope, and boats carve white wakes across the placid surface, a testament to the lake's transformation into a beloved destination for both residents and visitors seeking respite. The nearby university, a beacon of learning in the region, further enriches the cultural tapestry, drawing a dynamic blend of academic pursuits and youthful energy that spills over into the community surrounding Cheat Lake.

About This Cheat Lake Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Cheat Lake, West Virginia — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 39.672024, -79.853391. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Cheat Lake and Monongalia County.

Detailed location data for Cheat Lake includes the ZIP code (26508), telephone area code (304), county seat of Monongalia County (Morgantown), and school district assignment (Monongalia School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Cheat Lake is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.