Swans Falls dam
Swans Falls
Swans Falls, located in Fryeburg, Maine, is a captivating hydroelectric dam on the Saco River that was completed in 1923. With a dam height of 10 feet and a length of 630 feet, Swans Falls has a normal storage capacity of 450 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 535 acre-feet. This concrete dam also serves recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 150 acres for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Swans Falls has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 475 feet and two slide gates for water release. Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, the dam's risk management measures are in place to ensure safety and efficient operations. Its strategic location in the New England District adds to its importance as a key hydroelectric facility in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Swans Falls presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of renewable energy generation and environmental conservation. Its historical significance and modern operational standards make it an intriguing case study for sustainable water resource management. With its serene surroundings and crucial role in power generation, Swans Falls stands as a symbol of responsible hydroelectric infrastructure in the heart of Maine's natural landscape.
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 Swans Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,900 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 198 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 194 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Gorham | 2,930 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swans Falls .
Boat launches
- Conway Lake Boat Launch
- Upper Pea Porridge Pond Boat Launch
- Denmark Road 99, Denmark
- Eaton Road 2984, Eaton
- Wabunaki Road 10, Denmark
- Dam Road Porter
Campgrounds
- Fiddlehead Campground Showers
- Fiddlehead Campground Checkin And Camp Store
- Fiddlehead Campground B9
- Province Pond Shelter
- Mountain Pond Shelter
- Doublehead Cabin
Track Swans Falls 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 Swans Falls
Where does the data for Swans Falls 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 Swans Falls .