Bear Pond

Bear River· Oxford, Maine· Built 1900· Stone· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Bear Pond is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 51.7% in ME)
Dam Length105 ft
Dam TypeStone
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage820 acre-ft
Surface Area218 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDME00554

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 6, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

Camp Wigwam Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Pond?

Bear Pond is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bear Pond?

Bear Pond is owned by Camp Wigwam Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bear Pond built?

Bear Pond was completed in 1900, making it 126 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bear Pond?

Bear Pond serves the following purposes: Other, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bear Pond?

Bear Pond has a dam height of 15 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bear Pond last inspected?

Bear Pond was last inspected on October 6, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.