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Maine DEP Final Order

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued their order regarding the NPA Dam on Great Meadow Stream. 

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Their order follows the established practice of the NPA for the past several years. Read the complete ruling here. 

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North Pond Dam

The North Pond Association owns and operates the dam on Great Meadow Stream. The dam is managed to:

  • Maintain consistent water level

  • Minimize erosion to the shoreline

  • Provide habitat for wildlife

  • Allow public access to recreate on the pond

 

Access to the dam is deeded by Pine Tree Camp on the Rome side of Great Meadow Stream and by the Desrosiers property on the Smithfield side.

 

The structure of the dam is as follows:

  • Two steel uprights with a measure on the Smithfield side upright

  • Two mobile steel beams which can be raised and lowered 

  • One fixed beam embedded in the stream bed

 

North Pond Dam Committee consists of three volunteer members appointed by the NPA Board of Directors. Committee responsibilities include:

  • Check water level at the dam weekly

  • Clean debris from the beams

  • Adjust the beams according to Water Level Orders set forth by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection

  • Notify the Towns of Mercer, Rome, and Smithfield of beam adjustments

Dam levels

4/09/26: ice out

4/13/26: Beams lowered with minimal flow maintained -level 6.5 on measure

4/15/26: 1/2 inch spacer in place on Smithfield side- level 6.75

4/19/26: note beaver activity, welder evaluation of hole in Rome side upright -level 10.75

4/23/26: water level 12, clean up debris planned for 4/25

4/25/26: debris cleared-level 11.5

5/04/26: water level 14

5/05/26: debris cleared from dam, water level 15 with flow between beams facilitated by spacer per The Maine DEP order.

5/07/26: see image below from today demonstrating significant flow between the beams-upper beam raised enough to allow a  larger spacer (2 inch) placed, water level 16.5

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5/09/26: water level 17 with more rain in forecast, the dam committee will raise the upper beam tomorrow 5/10 at 2pm

5/10/26: upper beam raised, water level 15

5/14/26: water level 13.5

5/16/26: water level 14.5

5/21/26: water level 12.5; therefore the upper beam lowered with 1 inch spacer placed to allow flow and level rose to 15

5/24/26: water level 14

5/28/26: water level 15.5

6/04/26: water level 15.75, some debris cleared

6/05/26: water level 15.5, 2 in spacer in place, additional debris removed

6/08/26: water level 15.25

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