Great Moose Lake dam
Great Moose Lake
Great Moose Lake, located in Somerset County, Maine, is a picturesque body of water that serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, fire protection, and recreation. The dam at Great Moose Lake, completed in 1924, is primarily made of concrete and stands at a height of 15.5 feet, with a hydraulic height of 10 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 26,880 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 23,520 acre-feet. The dam's condition was last assessed as satisfactory in November 2019, with a significant hazard potential.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Great Moose Lake is regulated and permitted by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with environmental regulations. The lake's drainage area covers 228 square miles, with a surface area of 3,584 acres. Its proximity to the Sebasticook River adds to its ecological significance, providing a vital habitat for fish and wildlife. With its stunning natural beauty and essential role in flood mitigation efforts, Great Moose Lake is a valuable resource for both the local community and the environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Great Moose Lake offers a fascinating case study in dam management and the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems. Its rich history, diverse purposes, and ongoing maintenance highlight the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As a key player in flood risk reduction and environmental conservation, Great Moose Lake stands as a testament to the crucial role that water resources play in shaping resilient and vibrant communities.
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 Great Moose Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 386 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 6,390 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 112 cfs | → |
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 895 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Great Moose Lake.
Boat launches
- Canaan Road 99, Fairfield
- Prairie Road 21, Unity
- Ferry Road Norridgewock
- Perkins Street Norridgewock
- Vaughn Road 360, Dover-Foxcroft
- East Pond Landing Estates 42, Oakland
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Great Moose 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 Great Moose Lake
Where does the data for Great Moose 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 Significant 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 Great Moose Lake.