Dolby

West Branch Penobscot River· Penobscot, Maine· Built 1906· Concrete· 66 ft tall

High Hazard Hydroelectric Navigation Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Water Supply Flood Risk Reduction Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Dolby is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1906 and is 120 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	66 ft (taller than 98% in ME)
Dam Length	1,395 ft
Dam Type	Concrete
Max Storage	42.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage	42.0K acre-ft

Surface Area	2,048 acres
Drainage Area	2,108 sq mi
Max Discharge	75,000 cfs
Year Completed	1906 (120 years old)
NID ID	ME00201

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

What is the hazard classification of Dolby?

Dolby is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Dolby?

Dolby is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dolby built?

Dolby was completed in 1906, making it 120 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 Dolby?

Dolby serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Navigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dolby?

Dolby has a dam height of 66 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 Dolby last inspected?

Dolby was last inspected on August 9, 2022. 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.