Seboomook Lake dam
Seboomook Lake
Seboomook Lake, located in Somerset, Maine, is a picturesque reservoir on the West Branch Penobscot River with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1936. The dam standing at a height of 60 feet serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, flood risk reduction, navigation, and recreation. With a normal storage capacity of 117,080 acre-feet and a surface area of 6,838 acres, the lake provides essential water resources for the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Seboomook Lake is a vital hub for fish and wildlife conservation, with a spillway width of 429 feet and controlled spillway type ensuring the safety and ecological balance of the area. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is very high (1), indicating the need for stringent risk management measures. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in December 2018, highlighting the importance of preparedness and safety protocols in the event of any unforeseen emergencies.
Seboomook Lake's scenic beauty and ecological significance make it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its role in providing clean energy, water supply, and recreational opportunities underscores the importance of sustainable dam management practices to preserve this natural wonder for future generations.
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 Seboomook Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 327 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 201 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 385 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,370 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Seboomook Lake.
Boat launches
- Maine
- Poulin Road Maine
- Kineo Dock Road Rockwood
- Jackman Road 1139, Rockwood
- Burnham Pond Road Maine
- State Route 6 Maine
Campgrounds
- Elm Stream Campground
- Katahdin Stream - Baxter State Park
- Salmon Island
- Jewett Cove
- Casey's Spencer Bay Camps
- Beach Haven Campsite
Paddle runs
- Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) To Confluence With Pine Stream
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
- The North Branch Headwater From Canal Cut Approximately 1.25 Miles Upstream Of Big Bog To Pittston Farm
- Headwaters To Confluence With South Branch Penobscot River
More reservoirs
Track Seboomook 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 Seboomook Lake
Where does the data for Seboomook 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 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 Seboomook Lake.