Mount Zircon
Mount Zircon is an earth dam located in Oxford County, Maine, built in 1914. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Mount Zircon
The primary purpose of Mount Zircon is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Rumford Water District (public utility). It impounds the Zircon Brook near Rumford.
The dam stands 70 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 440 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1914, 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 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 12/26/2020.
At 70 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 | Oxford |
| Nearest City | Rumford |
| River/Stream | Zircon Brook |
| Coordinates | 44.49806, -70.57000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1914 (112 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 440 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 440 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Rumford Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/26/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00244 |
| Federal ID | ME00244 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |