Pioneer
Pioneer is a concrete dam located in Somerset County, Maine, built in 1890. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Pioneer
The primary purpose of Pioneer is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Town Of Pittsfield, Me (local government). It impounds the West Branch Sebasticook River near Pittsfield.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 570 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 320 square miles. Completed in 1890, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 07/25/2024.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Somerset |
| Nearest City | Pittsfield |
| River/Stream | West Branch Sebasticook River |
| Coordinates | 44.78610, -69.37960 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 570 ft |
| Year Completed | 1890 (136 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
| Drainage Area | 320 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Town of Pittsfield, ME |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/25/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00110 |
| Federal ID | ME00110 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |