Loon Lake dam
Loon Lake
Located in Piscataquis, Maine, Loon Lake is a hydroelectric facility on the Loon Stream, boasting a dam completed in 1914 with a height of 16.5 feet. This concrete, earth, and gravity dam stands at 511 feet in length and offers a storage capacity of 10,537 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 1,600 acres. While the hazard potential is classified as low, the risk assessment indicates a high level of risk, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management measures.
Operated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Loon Lake serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and supporting fish and wildlife in the area. The dam features three slide (sluice gate) outlet gates and is not regulated by the state, with no state permitting or inspection requirements in place. Although the condition assessment is not available, regular inspections every three years are conducted to ensure the safe operation of the facility.
With a congressional district representative of Jared F. Golden, the dam at Loon Lake plays a vital role in the region's water resource management and climate impact mitigation efforts. As an essential part of the local ecosystem and energy infrastructure, this hydroelectric facility stands as a testament to sustainable energy practices and the importance of balancing environmental conservation with renewable energy generation.
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 Loon Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 391 cfs | → |
| St. John River At Ninemile Bridge | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 492 cfs | → |
| Big Black River Near Depot Mtn | 230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loon Lake .
Campgrounds
- Elm Stream Campground
- Little Coffeelos Tentsite
- Katahdin Stream - Baxter State Park
- Nesowadnehunk Field - Baxter State Park
- Group A
- Group B
Paddle runs
- Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) To Confluence With Pine Stream
- The North Branch Headwater From Canal Cut Approximately 1.25 Miles Upstream Of Big Bog To Pittston Farm
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
More reservoirs
Track Loon 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 Loon Lake
Where does the data for Loon 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 Loon Lake .