Hicks Pond dam
Hicks Pond
Located in Oxford, Maine, Hicks Pond is a local government-owned reservoir with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1944, this concrete dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 200 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 538 acre-feet. The pond covers a surface area of 93 acres and is fed by the Little Androscoggin River, making it an essential resource for the region.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Hicks Pond plays a crucial role in fire protection, stock management, and recreational activities in the area. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is subject to regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Despite its modest size, Hicks Pond serves as a vital water resource for the local community and contributes to the overall climate resilience of the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and management of dams like Hicks Pond are becoming increasingly important. With proper oversight and adherence to regulatory standards, Hicks Pond can continue to provide clean energy, water storage, and recreational opportunities for years to come, showcasing the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation in a changing world.
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 Hicks Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Rumford | 5,730 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 194 cfs | → |
| Ellis River At South Andover | 318 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Swift River Near Roxbury | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hicks Pond.
Boat launches
- Rowe Hill Road Woodstock
- Singepole Trail Paris
- Norway Road Harrison
- Pismo Beach Road 38, Oxford
- Power House Road, Bridgton
- Basin Brook Dam Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Crocker Pond Campground
- Crocker Pond
- Bethel Outdoor Adventures And Campground
- Community Room
- Hastings Campground
- Hastings
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Hicks 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 Hicks Pond
Where does the data for Hicks 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 Hicks Pond.