Mercer Bog dam
Mercer Bog
Mercer Bog in Somerset, Maine, is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). This recreational pond, fed by Bog Stream, features a concrete dam with a height of 27 feet and a hydraulic height of 24 feet. Completed in 1850, the dam has a storage capacity of 951 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 317 acres. Despite its age, Mercer Bog has a low hazard potential and is currently classified as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
The dam at Mercer Bog serves multiple purposes, including fish and wildlife habitat enhancement and recreational activities. The structure, with a length of 132 feet and a spillway width of 34 feet, has not undergone significant modifications in recent years. Emergency preparedness measures, such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps, are not currently in place for this site. Despite this, the dam is subject to regular inspections with a frequency of 12 months to ensure its safety and integrity for both the surrounding community and the environment.
Water enthusiasts and climate advocates can appreciate Mercer Bog for its role in providing a habitat for local wildlife and offering recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. With its historical significance dating back to the 19th century, this water resource showcases the balance between human enjoyment and environmental stewardship. Continued monitoring and maintenance efforts will be crucial to preserve the functionality and safety of the dam at Mercer Bog for future generations to enjoy.
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 Mercer Bog -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,130 cfs | → |
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 739 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 10,100 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 6,260 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 98 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Rumford | 5,730 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mercer Bog.
Track Mercer Bog 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 Mercer Bog
Where does the data for Mercer Bog 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 Mercer Bog.