Puffers Pond dam
Puffers Pond
Puffers Pond, located in Dexter, Maine, is a picturesque earth dam structure completed in 1810 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 10 feet and a hydraulic height of 6 feet, this dam has a low hazard potential and is considered to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in October 2018. The pond has a storage capacity of 459 acre-feet and a surface area of 96 acres, making it an ideal spot for fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreational activities.
Managed by a private entity, Puffers Pond is regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam sits on the Puffers Pond river/stream and serves as a vital resource for the local community. Despite its age, the dam has stood the test of time and continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for water enthusiasts and climate advocates alike. Whether for relaxation or outdoor adventure, Puffers Pond offers a serene setting surrounded by nature in the heart of Penobscot County, Maine.
As a historic landmark in Maine's Congressional District 02, Puffers Pond stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and environmental conservation. With its rich history dating back over two centuries, the pond remains a popular destination for visitors seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. From its earth dam structure to its ample storage capacity and diverse wildlife habitat, Puffers Pond serves as a shining example of how human ingenuity can harmoniously coexist with the natural world, creating a haven for water and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and enjoy for generations to come.
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 Puffers Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 352 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 113 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 158 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 179 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 1,930 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 98 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Puffers Pond.
Boat launches
- Vaughn Road 360, Dover-Foxcroft
- Boat Landing Road 20, Piscataquis County
- Prairie Road 21, Unity
- Canaan Road 99, Fairfield
- Greenbush
- Fourth Street 22, Old Town
Campgrounds
Track Puffers 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 Puffers Pond
Where does the data for Puffers 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 Puffers Pond.