Ripley Pond

Ripley Stream· Somerset, Maine· Built 1877· Earth· 10 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Ripley Pond is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1877 and is 149 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 18.4% in ME)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage160 acre-ft
Normal Storage128 acre-ft
Surface Area220 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Year Completed1877 (149 years old)
Year Modified1982
NID IDME00518

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 15, 2002
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

Howard Sevey

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ripley Pond?

Ripley 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 Ripley Pond?

Ripley Pond is owned by Howard Sevey (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ripley Pond built?

Ripley Pond was completed in 1877, making it 149 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 Ripley Pond?

Ripley Pond serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Other, 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 Ripley Pond?

Ripley Pond has a dam height of 10 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 Ripley Pond last inspected?

Ripley Pond was last inspected on July 15, 2002. 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.