Flagstaff dam
Flagstaff
Flagstaff, also known as Long Falls Dam, is a private hydroelectric dam located in The Forks, Maine. Completed in 1948, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and has a length of 1339 feet, providing flood risk reduction, water supply, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 275,482 acre-feet and a surface area of 17,950 acres, Flagstaff plays a crucial role in managing the Dead River's flow and maximizing its potential for various purposes.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Flagstaff's spillway, with a width of 625 feet, ensures controlled release of water to prevent flooding downstream. The dam's very high hazard potential underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to guarantee the safety and reliability of this vital infrastructure. Despite not being state-regulated, Flagstaff's significance in water resource management and climate resilience cannot be overstated, making it a key player in supporting the local community and ecosystem in Somerset County, Maine.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Flagstaff represents a blend of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Its role in balancing water supply, flood control, and renewable energy generation underscores the interconnectedness of water resources and climate adaptation efforts. With its rich history and strategic location, Flagstaff serves as a beacon of sustainable infrastructure that exemplifies the synergy between human needs and ecological integrity, making it a compelling case study for advancing water management practices in a changing climate scenario.
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 Flagstaff -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dead River Near Dead River | 883 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 514 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At The Forks | 813 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 168 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 5,630 cfs | → |
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 1,720 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Flagstaff .
Boat launches
- Canadian Road Stratton
- West Shore Road Caratunk
- Arnold Trail 4026, Franklin County
- Attean Road Somerset County
- Beach Road Somerset County
- Park Road Rangeley
Campgrounds
- Safford Notch Campsite
- Avery Lean-To
- Harrison’S Pierce Pond Camp
- Horns Pond Lean-Tos
- Cranberry Stream Campsite
- Happy Horseshoe Campground
Paddle runs
- Kennebec Gorge
- The South Branch Headwater From Hilton Farm To Bridge At Upper End Of Canada Falls Lake; Also Penobscot Lake And Brook
- Canada Falls Lake To Pittston Farm
- Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Headwaters To Confluence With South Branch Penobscot River
Track Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff
Where does the data for Flagstaff 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 High 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 Flagstaff .