Swetts Pond dam
Swetts Pond
Swetts Pond, located in Penobscot, Maine, is a concrete dam completed in 1946 primarily for flood risk reduction along the Penobscot River. With a height of 6 feet and a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet, this pond covers an area of 125 acres and serves as a vital reservoir for the surrounding area. Despite its importance in managing water resources, the dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition with a significant hazard potential, highlighting the need for regular inspections and potential maintenance or upgrades.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Swetts Pond plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and supporting fish and wildlife habitats. Its location within the New England District underscores its significance in the region's water infrastructure. However, the poor condition assessment and significant hazard potential signal the importance of proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this essential water resource.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Swetts Pond serves as a compelling case study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and emergency preparedness. As stakeholders work to address the dam's condition and hazard potential, the pond's role in flood risk reduction and ecosystem support remains paramount. By staying informed and engaged in the ongoing management of Swetts Pond, enthusiasts can contribute to the sustainable use and preservation of this vital water resource in Maine.
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 Swetts Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 344 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 45 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 17,100 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,970 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swetts Pond.
Boat launches
- Snowmobile Trail 7c Holden Holden
- Craig Pond Trail 79, Orland
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
- Camp Roosevelt Road 18, Clifton
- Fourth Street 22, Old Town
- Water Street, Castine
Campgrounds
- Paul Bunyan Campground
- Cold River Campground
- Star Rock Campsite
- Balsam Cove Campground
- Lamoine State Park
- Great Pond Military
More reservoirs
Track Swetts 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 Swetts Pond
Where does the data for Swetts 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 Significant 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 Swetts Pond.