Howard Pond
Howard Pond is a concrete dam located in Oxford County, Maine, built in 1800. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Howard Pond
Howard Pond is a dam in Oxford, Maine. The dam is owned by Howard Pond Preservation Association (private). It impounds the Howard Pond.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 115 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 135 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,631 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1800, 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 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 08/03/2021.
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 | Oxford |
| River/Stream | Howard Pond |
| Coordinates | 44.50630, -70.71499 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 115 ft |
| Year Completed | 1800 (226 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,631 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,631 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,209 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 135 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Howard Pond Preservation Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/03/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME96095 |
| Federal ID | ME96095 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |