Dole Pond dam
Dole Pond
Dole Pond, located in Somerset County, Maine, is a picturesque water resource managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for hydroelectric purposes. The dam, completed in 1930, stands at a height of 18.8 feet and spans 947 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 3,857 acre-feet. The pond covers 371 acres and is fed by Dole Brook, providing essential fish and wildlife habitat in addition to its energy production function.
With a low hazard potential and a high risk assessment rating of 2, Dole Pond is closely monitored by regular inspections and emergency action plans. The dam features four slide (sluice) gates for water release control, ensuring safety and stability for the surrounding area. Despite its age, the condition assessment of Dole Pond is currently not available, suggesting a need for further evaluation to maintain its structural integrity and environmental impact.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the role of Dole Pond as a multi-purpose dam, serving both hydroelectric generation and conservation efforts in the region. Its location within the New England District, with oversight from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices in balancing energy needs with environmental stewardship. As discussions on climate change and water security continue, Dole Pond stands as a testament to the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems in the pursuit of a more resilient future.
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 Dole Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 353 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 1,930 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 414 cfs | → |
| St. John River At Ninemile Bridge | 2,080 cfs | → |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,380 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dole Pond .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With South Branch Penobscot River
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- The North Branch Headwater From Canal Cut Approximately 1.25 Miles Upstream Of Big Bog To Pittston Farm
- The South Branch Headwater From Hilton Farm To Bridge At Upper End Of Canada Falls Lake; Also Penobscot Lake And Brook
- Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) To Confluence With Pine Stream
Track Dole Pond 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 Dole Pond
Where does the data for Dole Pond 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 Dole Pond .