Hiram dam
Hiram
Located in Baldwin, Maine, Hiram Falls Dam, also known as Hiram, has been a key structure on the Saco River since its completion in 1917. This private dam serves primarily for hydroelectric generation and recreation purposes, standing at a height of 30 feet and a length of 432 feet. With a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet and a drainage area of 832 square miles, Hiram plays a significant role in water resource management in the region.
Despite its age, Hiram Falls Dam has a low hazard potential and is under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 314 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 16,475 cubic feet per second. While its condition assessment is not currently available, Hiram is subject to regular inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety standards are upheld.
The risk assessment for Hiram Falls Dam indicates a very high risk level, with a DSAC-assigned rating of 1. Although specific risk management measures are not detailed, the dam's emergency action plan is periodically reviewed and updated to meet regulatory guidelines. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the critical role of structures like Hiram in sustaining hydroelectric power and recreational opportunities underscores the importance of proactive risk management and maintenance practices for resilient water infrastructure.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Hiram -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,900 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 198 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 267 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 8,740 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hiram .
Boat launches
- Tripptown Road 28, Hiram
- Peabody Pond Public Boat Launch
- Wabunaki Road 10, Denmark
- Dam Road Porter
- Denmark Road 99, Denmark
- Sokokis Avenue Limington
Campgrounds
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Office/Recreation Hall
- Migis Lodge
- Salmon Point City Campground
- Fiddlehead Campground B9
Paddle runs
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Hiram in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Hiram
Where does the data for Hiram come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Hiram .