Rock Haven Lake dam
Rock Haven Lake
Rock Haven Lake, located in Newfield, Maine, is a picturesque water resource that serves as a popular spot for recreational activities. The dam that creates the lake is privately owned and regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Built in 1790, the concrete dam stands at 14 feet high and has a hydraulic height of 12 feet, providing a storage capacity of 2420 acre-feet and a surface area of 210 acres.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, the dam at Rock Haven Lake is currently in poor condition and has a low hazard potential. The last inspection in July 2018 revealed the need for improvement, prompting concerns about the safety and stability of the structure. With a frequency of inspections every 12 months, there is a need for maintenance and possibly rehabilitation to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of the dam.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the condition of Rock Haven Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring of dams. With its location in a beautiful natural setting and its role in providing recreational opportunities, it is essential to address the structural issues and ensure the safety of the dam for the community and the environment.
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 Rock Haven Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,160 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 225 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 164 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,420 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 97 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Haven Lake.
Boat launches
- Norton Ridge Road 99, Shapleigh
- Belleau Boulevard Wakefield
- Ivanhoe Lake Boat Launch
- Great East Lake Boat Launch
- West Shore Road 411, Acton
Campgrounds
- Green Tops Campground
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Wild Duck Campground & Rv Park
- Migis Lodge
- Office/Recreation Hall
Paddle runs
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
Track Rock Haven Lake 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 Rock Haven Lake
Where does the data for Rock Haven Lake 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 Rock Haven Lake.