Stillwater Dam (Maine)

The Stillwater Dam is a hydroelectric dam located on the Penobscot River in Stillwater, Maine, a village within the town of Orono. It is owned and operated by Brookfield Renewable. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, and it contributes to the regional power grid.

The dam creates a reservoir that is part of the larger Penobscot River watershed. This reservoir can be used for recreational purposes, including boating and fishing, although accessibility may be subject to regulations and water levels.

The Stillwater Dam has been the subject of environmental considerations, as with many dams on the Penobscot River. The Penobscot River Restoration Project, a large-scale effort to restore sea-run fish populations in the Penobscot River watershed, involved the removal or alteration of several dams further downstream. Although the Stillwater Dam was not directly removed as part of that project, its operation is subject to considerations related to fish passage and overall river health. Discussions and studies pertaining to fish passage technologies and dam operation practices are ongoing to balance power generation with ecological concerns.