Black Nubble (Redington Township, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Nubble |
|
|---|---|
 Black Nubble
Location in Maine
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3700+ ft (1128+ m) NGVD 29 |
| Prominence | 900 ft (270 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Franklin County, Maine, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Black Nubble |
Black Nubble is a mountain found in Franklin County, Maine. It stands tall in the beautiful landscape of the area. Close by, to its southeast, is another mountain called Mount Redington. Mount Redington is located just north of a special training place for the U.S. Navy. This facility is called the U.S. Navy Survival Escape and Evasion Training Facility.
Where Water Flows from Black Nubble
Every mountain is part of a watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into one main river or body of water. Black Nubble is part of the Kennebec River watershed. This means all the rain and snow that falls on Black Nubble eventually flows into the Kennebec River. The Kennebec River then flows into the Gulf of Maine.
Water from the east side of Black Nubble flows into Nash Stream. From there, it goes into the South Branch of the Dead River. This water then reaches Flagstaff Lake. After the lake, it continues into the Dead River and finally joins the Kennebec River.
On the west side of Black Nubble, water flows into the West Branch of Nash Stream. The southern part of Black Nubble drains into Orbeton Stream. Orbeton Stream then flows into the Sandy River. The Sandy River is another smaller river that joins the Kennebec River.
Plans for a Wind Farm
In 2005, a company named Maine Mountain Power (MMP) wanted to build a wind farm on Black Nubble. A wind farm is a group of wind turbines that use wind to create electricity. They asked the Maine Land Use Regulation Committee (LURC) for permission.
The first plan was to build 30 wind turbines. These turbines would be on both Black Nubble and the nearby Mount Redington. People discussed this idea for many years. There were strong opinions for and against the project.
In 2007, the LURC decided to reject the plan. They had several reasons for saying no. The top of Mount Redington was home to rare animals. These included the bog lemming and a bird called Bicknell's thrush. Building turbines there would harm their special habitat. Also, the wind farm would be seen from far away. It would be visible from parts of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Maine Mountain Power then suggested a new plan. This time, they wanted to build only 18 turbines. These would only be on Black Nubble, not Mount Redington. Many environmental groups supported this smaller plan. However, Maine Audubon, another environmental group, still did not agree.
In 2008, the LURC rejected this revised project too.
