Bear Pond dam
Bear Pond
Bear Pond in Maine is a concrete dam constructed in 1820 for flood risk reduction on Martin Stream. With a height of 16 feet and a hydraulic height of 12 feet, the dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock or small fish pond, flood risk reduction, and recreation. The pond has a storage capacity of 1822 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1212 acre-feet and a surface area of 433 acres, providing a tranquil oasis for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Managed by the state regulatory agency MEMA, Bear Pond is classified as a low hazard potential structure with a condition assessment of "Not Rated." The dam has not been modified over the years and was last inspected in June 2014. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of flood risk reduction effectively. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of Bear Pond while appreciating the engineering feat of the historic concrete dam that has stood the test of time.
Located in Androscoggin County, Bear Pond's tranquil waters offer a haven for wildlife and a recreational oasis for locals and tourists alike. With its rich history dating back to the early 19th century, the dam at Bear Pond stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. Whether you're interested in exploring the engineering marvel of the dam or simply seeking a peaceful retreat in nature, Bear Pond is a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to connect with the natural world.
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 Bear Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 8,740 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River At Rumford | 5,730 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 756 cfs | → |
| Swift River Near Roxbury | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Pond.
Boat launches
- Howes Corner Road Leeds
- Federal Road 694, Livermore
- Gulf Island Pond Public Boat Ramp
- Main Street 620, Wayne
- Singepole Trail Paris
- Turner Road Auburn
Track Bear 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 Bear Pond
Where does the data for Bear 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 Bear Pond.