North Twin

West Branch Penobscot River· Penobscot, Maine· Built 1934· Earth· 35 ft tall

Key Takeaway

North Twin is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 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 35 ft (taller than 91.5% in ME)
Dam Length1,051 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage346.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage346.0K acre-ft
Surface Area17,790 acres
Drainage Area1,877 sq mi
Max Discharge72,000 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDME00203

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
Last Inspection: August 10, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of North Twin?

North Twin 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 North Twin?

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

When was North Twin built?

North Twin was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 North Twin?

North Twin 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 North Twin?

North Twin has a dam height of 35 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 North Twin last inspected?

North Twin was last inspected on August 10, 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.