Moosehead - East Outlet dam
Moosehead - East Outlet
Moosehead - East Outlet, also known as Moosehead Lake East Dam, is a significant hydroelectric structure located in The Forks, Maine. Completed in 1835, this concrete dam stands at a height of 25.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 1,080,000 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, the dam also serves purposes such as flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply for the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Moosehead - East Outlet is a key player in the water resource management of the Kennebec River. With a spillway width of 484 feet and a maximum discharge of 54,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in controlling water flow and mitigating flood risks in the area. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is considered significant, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure its continued safe operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Moosehead - East Outlet offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, energy generation, and environmental stewardship. As a historic structure with a high-risk profile, the dam's role in balancing water management needs with ecological concerns underscores the complex challenges faced in sustaining water resources for future generations. Its location in the beautiful surroundings of Somerset County, Maine, also makes it a prime spot for exploring the interconnectedness of human activity and natural landscapes in the context of climate change and water sustainability.
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 Moosehead - East Outlet -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 183 cfs | → |
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 293 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 361 cfs | → |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,330 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moosehead - East Outlet .
Boat launches
- Burnham Pond Road Maine
- State Route 6 Maine
- Jackman Road 1139, Rockwood
- Kineo Dock Road Rockwood
- Boat Landing Road 20, Piscataquis County
- Poulin Road Maine
Campgrounds
- Beach Haven Campsite
- Casey's Spencer Bay Camps
- Lily Bay State Park
- Jewett Cove
- Salmon Island
- Katahdin Stream - Baxter State Park
Paddle runs
- Kennebec Gorge
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) To Confluence With Pine Stream
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
Track Moosehead - East Outlet 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 Moosehead - East Outlet
Where does the data for Moosehead - East Outlet 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 Significant 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 Moosehead - East Outlet .