Wilson Pond

Wilson Pond is a rockfill dam located in Franklin County, Maine, built in 1845. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.

About Wilson Pond

The primary purpose of Wilson Pond is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Wilton (local government). It impounds the Wilson Pond near Wilton.

The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 78 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 594 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 13,610 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 27 square miles. Completed in 1845, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/08/2025.

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.

High HazardUnsatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMaine
CountyFranklin
Nearest CityWilton
River/StreamWilson Pond
Coordinates44.58586, -70.23312

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeRockfill
NID Height24 ft
Dam Height24 ft
Dam Length78 ft
Year Completed1845 (181 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage13,610 acre-ft
Max Storage13,610 acre-ft
Normal Storage11,010 acre-ft
Surface Area594 acres
Drainage Area27 sq mi

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerWilton
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentUnsatisfactory
Last Inspection07/08/2025
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDME00121
Federal IDME00121
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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