Dolby is a concrete dam located in Penobscot County, Maine, built in 1906. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 66 ft66 ft tall and 1,395 ft long, taller than 96% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Dolby
The primary purpose of Dolby is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. It impounds the West Branch Penobscot River near East Millinocket.
The dam stands 66 feet tall and stretches 1,395 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,048 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 41,956 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,108 square miles. Completed in 1906, the structure is over a century old.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/09/2022.
At 66 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Penobscot |
| Nearest City | East Millinocket |
| River/Stream | West Branch Penobscot River |
| Coordinates | 45.63270, -68.60670 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,395 ft |
| Year Completed | 1906 (120 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 41,956 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 41,956 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 41,956 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,048 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,108 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 75,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner Type | Not Listed |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/09/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00201 |
| Federal ID | ME00201 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |