Wesserunsett

About Wesserunsett

The primary purpose of Wesserunsett is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Madison (local government). It impounds the Mill Stream near Madison.

The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 147 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,446 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12,550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1800, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/18/2021.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Maine dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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