Branch Pond

About Branch Pond

The primary purpose of Branch Pond is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Branch Pond Association (private). It impounds the West Branch Sheepscot near China.

The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 310 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1817, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/09/2025.

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