Houghton Pond dam
Houghton Pond
Houghton Pond, located in Sagadahoc, Maine, is a private water resource regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The pond, with a surface area of 12 acres, was completed in 1880 and serves primarily for purposes other than flood control or water supply. The dam at Houghton Pond stands at 18 feet in height and has a low hazard potential, with a fair condition assessment as of July 2013.
Situated along the New Meadows River, Houghton Pond offers a tranquil setting for water and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the area. With a normal storage capacity of 140 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 180 acre-feet, the pond provides a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. While the associated structures and inspection details are limited, the pond remains a picturesque destination for outdoor recreation and environmental education.
As a historic water feature in the region, Houghton Pond contributes to the overall ecosystem health and water management efforts in Maine. Although the dam has not been significantly modified in recent years, the pond continues to be monitored for safety and regulatory compliance. With its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities, Houghton Pond serves as a valuable resource for the community and a reminder of the importance of responsible water stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Houghton Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 8,390 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Houghton Pond.
Boat launches
- Holbrook Street 73, Harpswell
- South End Boat Launch
- Bethel Point Road 350, Harpswell
- Hildreth Road Landing
- Anchor Road 5, Bath
- Maquoit Road Brunswick
Track Houghton 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 Houghton Pond
Where does the data for Houghton 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 Houghton Pond.