Orono
Orono is a concrete dam located in Penobscot County, Maine, built in 1917. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Orono
The primary purpose of Orono 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 Black Bear Hydro Partners, Llc, Black Bear Development Holdings, Llc & Black Bear So, Llc (private). It impounds the Stillwater River near Orono.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 1,178 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 175 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7,710 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/13/2022.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Penobscot |
| Nearest City | Orono |
| River/Stream | Stillwater River |
| Coordinates | 44.88328, -68.66488 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,178 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 175 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7,710 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 48,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Black Bear Hydro Partners, LLC, Black Bear Development Holdings, LLC & Black Bear SO, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00138 |
| Federal ID | ME00138 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |