Medway
Medway is a concrete dam located in Penobscot County, Maine, built in 1922. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Medway
The primary purpose of Medway 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 (private). It impounds the West Branch Penobscot River near Medway.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 448 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 101 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,120 square miles. Completed in 1922, 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 07/22/2022.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Penobscot |
| Nearest City | Medway |
| River/Stream | West Branch Penobscot River |
| Coordinates | 45.60734, -68.54580 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 448 ft |
| Year Completed | 1922 (104 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 101 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,120 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 41,350 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Black Bear Hydro Partners, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/22/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00199 |
| Federal ID | ME00199 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |