| Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area | |
| Map: | USA Nebraska#USA |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Location: | Cherry, Nebraska, United States |
| Nearest City: | Valentine, Nebraska |
| Coordinates: | 42.6082°N -100.8779°W |
| Area Acre: | 823 |
| Area Ref: | [1] |
| Designation: | Nebraska state recreation area |
| Governing Body: | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |
Merritt Dam is a dam in Cherry County, Nebraska, southwest of Valentine, in the north-central part of the state. The 126feet earthen dam impounds the Snake River as it flows along the southern edge of the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest in the Sandhills. It created Merritt Reservoir in 1964 as a project of the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoir holds almost 75000acre.ft, with about of sandy shoreline and 3,000 surface acres (3000acres) of water.[2]
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area is adjacent to the eastern side of the reservoir and offers boating, fishing, camping, and hunting activities.[3] The area, a noted dark-sky location, is the location of the annual Nebraska Star Party.