Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel dam
Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel
The Upper Kezar Falls Approach Channel is a hydroelectric structure located in Kezar Falls, Maine, on the Ossipee River. Built in 1910, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 196 feet. It has a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 3360 cubic feet per second. The dam is primarily used for hydroelectric purposes, with two slide (sluice gate) outlet gates.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Upper Kezar Falls Approach Channel has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Its spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 176 feet. The dam has not undergone any significant modifications in recent years, with the last inspection conducted in June 2018. While the condition assessment is currently not available, emergency action plans are in place, meeting guidelines set by regulatory agencies.
Overall, the Upper Kezar Falls Approach Channel serves as an important hydroelectric infrastructure in the region, contributing to the generation of clean energy. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor and ensure the safety and efficiency of such structures to mitigate any potential risks to the environment and surrounding communities. By staying informed and involved in the regulation and maintenance of these facilities, we can support sustainable water resource management and resilient infrastructure development for a greener future.
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 Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel -- 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 | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 267 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel .
Boat launches
- Tripptown Road 28, Hiram
- Dam Road Porter
- Ossipee River Boat Launch
- Central Avenue Limerick
- Eaton Road 2984, Eaton
- Sokokis Avenue Limington
Campgrounds
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Fiddlehead Campground Showers
- Fiddlehead Campground Checkin And Camp Store
- Office/Recreation Hall
- Fiddlehead Campground B9
Paddle runs
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel 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 Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel
Where does the data for Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel 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 Upper Kezar Falls - Approach Channel .