Swetts Pond
Swetts Pond is a concrete dam located in Penobscot County, Maine, built in 1946. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Swetts Pond
The primary purpose of Swetts Pond 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 Orrington (local government). It impounds the Penobscot.
The dam stands 6 feet tall and stretches 30 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 125 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1946, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/28/2020.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Penobscot |
| River/Stream | Penobscot |
| Coordinates | 44.70525, -68.78619 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Height | 6 ft |
| Dam Length | 30 ft |
| Year Completed | 1946 (80 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 125 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Orrington |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/28/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME96055 |
| Federal ID | ME96055 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |