Pierce Pond Dam dam
Pierce Pond Dam
Pierce Pond Dam, located in Somerset, Maine, was completed in 1920 and serves as a vital structure for hydroelectric purposes on the Pierce Pond Outlet. The dam stands at a height of 10 feet with a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a length of 170 feet, containing a storage capacity of 27,361 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment.
Owned privately, Pierce Pond Dam is regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric, with additional benefits for fish and wildlife in the area. While the dam has not been assessed for its condition, it is regularly inspected every 12 months to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam's location in a picturesque setting, combined with its historical significance and ecological impact, makes it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As a key player in the local hydroelectric infrastructure, Pierce Pond Dam continues to play a crucial role in water management and energy production in the region.
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 Pierce Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 361 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 112 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 6,390 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 183 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pierce Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- West Shore Road Caratunk
- Canadian Road Stratton
- Burnham Pond Road Maine
- Attean Road Somerset County
- State Route 6 Maine
- Jackman Road 1139, Rockwood
Campgrounds
- Harrison’S Pierce Pond Camp
- Safford Notch Campsite
- Avery Lean-To
- Horns Pond Lean-Tos
- Cranberry Stream Campsite
- Happy Horseshoe Campground
Paddle runs
- Kennebec Gorge
- The South Branch Headwater From Hilton Farm To Bridge At Upper End Of Canada Falls Lake; Also Penobscot Lake And Brook
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
More reservoirs
Track Pierce Pond Dam 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 Pierce Pond Dam
Where does the data for Pierce Pond Dam 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 Pierce Pond Dam.