Cambridge Pond dam
Cambridge Pond
Cambridge Pond, located in Somerset County, Maine, is a picturesque body of water primarily used for fire protection, stocking fish, and recreational activities. Built in 1940, this concrete dam stands at 15 feet tall and stretches 156 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 231 acre-feet. The pond covers a surface area of 38 acres and is fed by the Ferguson Stream, providing a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency, Cambridge Pond has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition. The dam's spillway width of 75 feet ensures proper water flow, and regular inspections are conducted to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With its charming location in the town of Cambridge and its various uses, Cambridge Pond offers a unique blend of environmental, recreational, and practical benefits for the community and beyond.
For those interested in water management and the intersection of climate and infrastructure, Cambridge Pond serves as a fascinating case study in sustainable water resource utilization. Its historical significance, functional design, and multi-purpose applications make it a valuable asset for the local area, providing both practical benefits and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. As efforts continue to manage and protect water resources in the face of climate change, Cambridge Pond stands as a testament to the importance of thoughtful and proactive water management practices.
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 Cambridge Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 386 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 183 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 112 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 6,390 cfs | → |
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 895 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cambridge Pond.
Boat launches
- Vaughn Road 360, Dover-Foxcroft
- Boat Landing Road 20, Piscataquis County
- Canaan Road 99, Fairfield
- Ferry Road Norridgewock
- Perkins Street Norridgewock
- West Shore Road Caratunk
Paddle runs
- Kennebec Gorge
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
More reservoirs
Track Cambridge 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 Cambridge Pond
Where does the data for Cambridge 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 Cambridge Pond.