Black Pond dam
Black Pond
Black Pond, located in Porter, Maine, is a picturesque recreational spot surrounded by the tranquil waters of Fox Brook. This concrete dam, completed in 1963, stands at a height of 9 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 243 acre-feet, making it an essential resource for the local community. With a surface area of 50 acres and a drainage area of 3 square miles, Black Pond offers a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat in nature.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Black Pond is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and functionality for recreational purposes. Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, the dam undergoes regular inspections every 12 months to uphold its structural integrity. The dam's spillway width of 6 feet further demonstrates its commitment to effective water management and risk mitigation, providing a safe environment for visitors to enjoy the beauty of Black Pond and its surroundings.
As a beloved local attraction, Black Pond serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate challenges. With its rich history, scenic beauty, and commitment to safety, this reservoir stands as a valuable asset for the community and a symbol of resilience in the midst of changing environmental conditions. Whether exploring its waters or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, Black Pond offers a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with nature and appreciate the wonders of 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 Black Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,900 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 198 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 267 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Pond.
Boat launches
- Tripptown Road 28, Hiram
- Dam Road Porter
- Ossipee River Boat Launch
- Eaton Road 2984, Eaton
- Central Avenue Limerick
- Denmark Road 99, Denmark
Campgrounds
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Fiddlehead Campground Showers
- Fiddlehead Campground Checkin And Camp Store
- Fiddlehead Campground B9
- Office/Recreation Hall
Paddle runs
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Black 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 Black Pond
Where does the data for Black 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 Black Pond.