Whitney Irrigation Pond dam
Whitney Irrigation Pond
Whitney Irrigation Pond, located in Penobscot, Maine, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1950 primarily for irrigation purposes. With a dam height of 16 feet and a length of 460 feet, the pond has a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet and covers an area of 18.5 acres. Despite being regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency and subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, the condition assessment of the dam is rated as poor, indicating a potential risk for failure.
The low hazard potential of Whitney Irrigation Pond belies its poor condition assessment, highlighting the need for timely maintenance and risk management measures. The dam, with a hydraulic height of 0 feet and a structural height of 16 feet, poses a potential threat in case of a failure. With a designated emergency action plan (EAP) yet to be prepared or updated, there is room for improvement in ensuring the safety and security of the surrounding area in the event of a dam breach. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts should pay close attention to the management of Whitney Irrigation Pond to prevent any potential disasters and safeguard the local ecosystem.
As water resources and climate change continue to be pressing issues, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Whitney Irrigation Pond are crucial for sustainable water management. With a history dating back to the mid-20th century, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness in ensuring the safety and integrity of water infrastructures. It is imperative for stakeholders to prioritize the rehabilitation and maintenance of Whitney Irrigation Pond to mitigate risks and protect the surrounding environment from any potential harm.
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 Whitney Irrigation Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 386 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 206 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 183 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 112 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitney Irrigation Pond.
Track Whitney Irrigation 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 Whitney Irrigation Pond
Where does the data for Whitney Irrigation 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 Whitney Irrigation Pond.