Indian Pond dam
Indian Pond
Indian Pond, also known as Harris Dam, is a private hydroelectric facility located in Somerset, Maine, along the Kennebec River. Constructed in 1955, this concrete dam stands at a height of 175 feet and spans 2000 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 78,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 3746 acres. With a maximum discharge of 22,000 cubic feet per second and a controlled spillway width of 270 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and generating hydroelectric power in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Indian Pond poses a high hazard potential due to its size and location. While its condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety regulations. Despite its risk level being classified as very high, the facility has not been modified in recent years and lacks detailed risk management measures.
As a significant feature in the local landscape, Indian Pond serves as a reminder of the intersection between water resource management and climate resilience. Its role in providing renewable energy and regulating water flow underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change on our environment.
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 Indian Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 201 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 385 cfs | → |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 124 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Indian Pond .
Boat launches
- Burnham Pond Road Maine
- State Route 6 Maine
- Jackman Road 1139, Rockwood
- West Shore Road Caratunk
- Kineo Dock Road Rockwood
- Attean Road Somerset County
Campgrounds
- Lily Bay State Park
- Harrison’S Pierce Pond Camp
- Beach Haven Campsite
- Casey's Spencer Bay Camps
- Jewett Cove
- Salmon Island
Paddle runs
- Kennebec Gorge
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- The South Branch Headwater From Hilton Farm To Bridge At Upper End Of Canada Falls Lake; Also Penobscot Lake And Brook
Track Indian Pond 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 Indian Pond
Where does the data for Indian Pond 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 High 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 Indian Pond .