Thompson Lake dam
Thompson Lake
Thompson Lake in Oxford, Maine is a picturesque water body with a rich history dating back to the 1800s when it was completed for hydroelectric purposes. With a dam height of 12.5 feet and a storage capacity of over 29,000 acre-feet, the lake serves various functions including navigation, recreation, and water supply. Its low hazard potential and not rated condition assessment make it a relatively safe and stable water resource.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency, Thompson Lake is state-regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The lake covers a surface area of 4,224 acres with a drainage area of 46 square miles, making it a significant water body in the region. Despite its age, the dam is well-maintained with the last inspection conducted in 2009, highlighting the commitment to ensuring the lake's integrity and safety for both residents and visitors.
Thompson Lake's tranquil waters provide a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts and climate advocates alike. With its strategic location and diverse uses, the lake continues to play a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem and community. From its historic origins to its present-day management, Thompson Lake stands as a symbol of sustainable water resource management and environmental stewardship in the heart of Maine.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Thompson Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 8,740 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,900 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Rumford | 5,730 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Lake.
Boat launches
- Pismo Beach Road 38, Oxford
- Singepole Trail Paris
- Norway Road Harrison
- Power House Road, Bridgton
- Turner Road Auburn
- Hinds Road Raymond
Campgrounds
- Dunn's Campground
- Seeds Of Peace Camp
- Hoop Basketball Camp
- Laurel South
- Salmon Point City Campground
- Office/Recreation Hall
More reservoirs
Track Thompson Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Thompson Lake
Where does the data for Thompson Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Thompson Lake.