Upper Somes dam
Upper Somes
Upper Somes, also known as Somes Pond Outlet, is a locally owned dam located in Hancock, Maine. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, fire protection, stock maintenance, recreation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 344 acre-feet and a surface area of 104 acres, Upper Somes plays a crucial role in the local community's water resource management.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Upper Somes is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, its condition assessment has not been rated as of the last assessment in 2010. The dam's primary purpose for hydroelectric power generation underscores its significance in the region's energy and water sustainability efforts, making it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and learn from.
With its historical significance dating back over a century, Upper Somes continues to contribute to the local landscape and ecosystem along Somes Brook. Whether for its hydroelectric capabilities or its recreational and water supply functions, this dam serves as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in harnessing water resources for the benefit of the community.
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 Upper Somes -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 404 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 45 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 344 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Somes .
Boat launches
- Eagle Lake Carriage Road Bar Harbor
- Great Cove Drive 116, Brooklin
- Town Landing Sedgwick
- Little Deer Isle Road 204, Deer Isle
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
- Water Street, Castine
Track Upper Somes 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 Upper Somes
Where does the data for Upper Somes 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 Upper Somes .