Wilson Pond
Wilson Pond is a rockfill dam located in Franklin County, Maine, built in 1845. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Wilson Pond
The primary purpose of Wilson Pond is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Wilton (local government). It impounds the Wilson Pond near Wilton.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 78 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 594 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 13,610 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 27 square miles. Completed in 1845, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/08/2025.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Franklin |
| Nearest City | Wilton |
| River/Stream | Wilson Pond |
| Coordinates | 44.58586, -70.23312 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 78 ft |
| Year Completed | 1845 (181 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 13,610 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 13,610 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11,010 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 594 acres |
| Drainage Area | 27 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Wilton |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00121 |
| Federal ID | ME00121 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |