Penobscot Lake

Penobscot Brook· Somerset, Maine· Built 1916· Concrete· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Fish And Wildlife Pond Not Listed

Key Takeaway

Penobscot Lake is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1916 and is 110 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 45.1% in ME)
Dam Length565 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage8.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage8.1K acre-ft
Surface Area1,075 acres
Drainage Area16 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1916 (110 years old)
NID IDME00216

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: July 12, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Penobscot Lake?

Penobscot Lake 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 Penobscot Lake?

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

When was Penobscot Lake built?

Penobscot Lake was completed in 1916, making it 110 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 Penobscot Lake?

Penobscot Lake serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Penobscot Lake?

Penobscot Lake has a dam height of 14 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 Penobscot Lake last inspected?

Penobscot Lake was last inspected on July 12, 2018. 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.