Ripogenus

West Branch Penobscot River· Piscataquis, Maine· Built 1916· Concrete· 83 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Ripogenus is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1916 and is 110 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 83 ft (taller than 99.3% in ME)
Dam Length795 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage688.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage688.0K acre-ft
Surface Area29,279 acres
Drainage Area1,422 sq mi
Max Discharge95,660 cfs
Year Completed1916 (110 years old)
NID IDME00204

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 11, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ripogenus?

Ripogenus 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 Ripogenus?

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

When was Ripogenus built?

Ripogenus 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 Ripogenus?

Ripogenus 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 Ripogenus?

Ripogenus has a dam height of 83 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 Ripogenus last inspected?

Ripogenus was last inspected on August 11, 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.