Lower West Bay Pond dam
Lower West Bay Pond
Lower West Bay Pond in Gouldsboro, Maine, is a picturesque recreational spot surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lower West Bay Stream. The dam holding back the pond was completed in 1920 and stands at a height of 12 feet, providing a storage capacity of 537 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 59 acres. However, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential, highlighting the need for regular inspections and potential maintenance or repairs to ensure its safety and longevity.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Lower West Bay Pond is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy water-based activities in a beautiful natural setting. With a spillway width of 49 feet, the dam also serves as a crucial flood control measure for the surrounding area, further emphasizing the importance of its maintenance and upkeep. Despite its age and condition, the pond continues to attract visitors seeking recreational opportunities and a connection to nature.
As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure, the ongoing monitoring and management of Lower West Bay Pond will be essential to adapt to changing conditions and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. With a designated inspection frequency of 6 years and a last assessment date in 2016, stakeholders must remain vigilant in assessing and addressing any potential risks or vulnerabilities associated with the dam. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, Lower West Bay Pond can continue to provide a valuable recreational and environmental resource for years 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 Lower West Bay Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 352 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 9 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 38 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 271 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower West Bay Pond.
Boat launches
- Pinkham Bay Bridge Road 71, Steuben
- Back Shore Road 139, Steuben
- Eagle Lake Carriage Road Bar Harbor
- Mountain View Lane 2, Beddington
- Unnamed 9 Road Washington County
- Schoppee Point Road 298, Roque Bluffs
Track Lower West Bay 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 Lower West Bay Pond
Where does the data for Lower West Bay 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 High 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 Lower West Bay Pond.