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Commissioner raises 2025 dam-safety report: Depot Pond/Baldwin Water Supply Dam classified a significant hazard
Summary
A 2025 GeoEnvironmental dam safety evaluation reviewed by the commission found the Depot Pond (Baldwin Water Supply) Dam in poor condition and classified it as a 'significant hazard dam'; commissioners asked staff to share the report with town emergency management (CERT), the board of health and selectmen and to contact state dam-safety officials.
Commissioner Joanne told the Conservation Commission on April 21 that she had reviewed a 61-page GeoEnvironmental evaluation (2025) concluding the Depot Pond, also described in parts of the report as the Baldwin Water Supply Dam, is in poor condition and is classified as a "significant hazard dam."
Joanne said the report notes that a failure of the dam at maximum pool "may cause loss of life and damage to industrial, commercial facilities, secondary highway, railroad, and cause interruption of use of service of relatively important facilities," and that a breach path could send water over State Road (Route 68) and toward residences downstream.
Why it matters: the report's hazard classification signals potential public-safety risk to nearby people, infrastructure and transportation corridors. Joanne said the town may not own the property outright and that ownership appears complicated; a resident provided the report and asked what action would follow.
Commission action and follow-up: commissioners asked staff to send the evaluation to CERT (the town emergency management team), the board of health and the board of selectmen and to check who is in contact with state dam-safety officials. The Conservation Agent said she would forward the report copies and will follow up with available contacts to determine next steps.
Report details cited at the meeting included an assessment that the dam is located on a tributary of the Otter River and that about 500 feet downstream the roadway lies lower than the channel, increasing breach risk to the road and nearby structures. The report date is referenced in the meeting as 2025.
The commission did not take a formal vote on remedial steps at the April 21 meeting; members asked staff to gather further information and report back.
