Nesowadnehunk dam
Nesowadnehunk
Nesowadnehunk, a privately owned dam located in Piscataquis, Maine, serves as a vital hydroelectric resource in the region. Completed in 1930, this concrete dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 11,800 acre-feet. It not only helps in flood risk reduction but also provides opportunities for recreation in the area. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Nesowadnehunk is a key infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Nesowadnehunk is regulated and inspected by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's primary purpose as a hydroelectric facility highlights its importance in generating renewable energy for the local community. The dam's location on the Nesowadnehunk River adds to its significance in the watershed, with a drainage area of 14 square miles and a surface area of 1427 acres.
Despite its age, Nesowadnehunk continues to play a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the area. With a focus on sustainability and safety, the dam remains a key asset for both flood control and renewable energy generation. Its history, design, and purpose make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
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 Nesowadnehunk -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 430 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 2,930 cfs | → |
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 327 cfs | → |
| Aroostook River Near Masardis | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 3,080 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,470 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nesowadnehunk.
Boat launches
- Its 85 Penobscot County
- Grand Lake Road Piscataquis County
- Grand Lake Road Penobscot County
- Sherman Lumber Co Road Penobscot County
- Fredericka's Way Maine
- Golden Road Maine
Campgrounds
- Group A
- Group B
- Nesowadnehunk Field - Baxter State Park
- North Branch Bunkhouse
- Russell Pond Campground
- Kidney Pond Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Grand Lake Matagamon To Bowlin Camps
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
Track Nesowadnehunk 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 Nesowadnehunk
Where does the data for Nesowadnehunk 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 Nesowadnehunk.