Hamilton Pond dam
Hamilton Pond
Hamilton Pond, located in Hancock, Maine, is a privately-owned water resource regulated by the state agency MEMA. Built in 1920, this Earth-type dam stands at 11 feet high and spans a length of 135 feet, with a storage capacity of 207 acre-feet. The pond serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational activities like fishing and boating. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated", Hamilton Pond offers a tranquil and safe environment for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Surrounded by the scenic beauty of Stony Brook and nestled within the New England District, Hamilton Pond provides a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking outdoor recreation and nature appreciation. Its 50-acre surface area and 165-acre normal storage capacity make it a valuable resource for local wildlife and residents alike. Despite its age, the pond's dam structure remains sturdy and well-maintained, ensuring the safety and longevity of this important water feature in the region.
With state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, Hamilton Pond demonstrates a commitment to responsible water resource management and environmental stewardship. As a vital component of the local ecosystem and a source of leisure and enjoyment for the community, this historic pond continues to play a significant role in supporting biodiversity and sustainable recreational activities in the area.
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 Hamilton Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 338 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 8 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 35 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 251 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamilton Pond.
Boat launches
- Eagle Lake Carriage Road Bar Harbor
- Great Cove Drive 116, Brooklin
- Town Landing Sedgwick
- Pinkham Bay Bridge Road 71, Steuben
- Back Shore Road 139, Steuben
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
Campgrounds
- Lamoine State Park
- Blackwoods - Acadia National Park
- Schoodic Woods Campground
- Seawall - Acadia National Park
- Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls
- Balsam Cove Campground
More reservoirs
Track Hamilton 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 Hamilton Pond
Where does the data for Hamilton 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 Hamilton Pond.