Ragged Lake dam
Ragged Lake
Ragged Lake in Maine is a captivating hydroelectric dam that was completed in 1937. Situated in Piscataquis County, this dam on Ragged Stream serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 1193 feet, Ragged Lake has a storage capacity of 30,490 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2,786 acres.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Ragged Lake dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 54 feet and three slide gates for outlet control. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is classified as having a very high risk due to its critical role in the region's water resource management. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, but regular inspections are conducted every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Ragged Lake's contribution to fish and wildlife habitat, navigation, and energy production. With its scenic location in Millinocket and its pivotal role in the region's water management, Ragged Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in harnessing the power of water resources for societal benefits.
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 Ragged Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 302 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 2,780 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 186 cfs | → |
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 401 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 123 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 404 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ragged Lake .
Boat launches
- Poulin Road Maine
- Kineo Dock Road Rockwood
- Maine
- Golden Road Maine
- Fredericka's Way Maine
- State Route 6 Maine
Campgrounds
- Salmon Island
- Jewett Cove
- Horserace Campground
- Kidney Pond Campground
- Casey's Spencer Bay Camps
- Daicey Pond Campground
Paddle runs
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) To Confluence With Pine Stream
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
More reservoirs
Track Ragged 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 Ragged Lake
Where does the data for Ragged 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 Ragged Lake .