Seboomook Lake

West Branch Penobscot River· Somerset, Maine· Built 1936· Concrete· 60 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Seboomook Lake is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 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 60 ft (taller than 97.4% in ME)
Dam Length607 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage117.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage117.1K acre-ft
Surface Area6,838 acres
Drainage Area526 sq mi
Max Discharge45,000 cfs
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDME00206

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: July 20, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Seboomook Lake?

Seboomook Lake 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 Seboomook Lake?

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

When was Seboomook Lake built?

Seboomook Lake was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Seboomook Lake?

Seboomook Lake 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 Seboomook Lake?

Seboomook Lake has a dam height of 60 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 Seboomook Lake last inspected?

Seboomook Lake was last inspected on July 20, 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.