Run Around dam
Run Around
Run Around is a hydroelectric dam located in Howland, Maine, along Merrill Brook. Built in 1894, this Earth dam stands at 15 feet tall and stretches 200 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 11,480 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2,000 cubic feet per second. The dam's spillway, controlled with a width of 19 feet, helps manage water flow in a controlled manner.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Run Around serves as a crucial structure for hydroelectric purposes, contributing to the renewable energy sector. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating of 1, indicating its sturdy construction and maintenance. The dam's three slide gates enable efficient water release, and regular inspections ensure its safety and functionality.
With its scenic location and significant role in water resource management and renewable energy production, Run Around is a testament to sustainable infrastructure development. As a key player in Maine's energy landscape, this dam underscores the importance of responsible water resource management and the potential for hydroelectric power to contribute to climate resilience.
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 Run Around -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 17,100 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 3,650 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 344 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 3,130 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 597 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Run Around .
Boat launches
- West Broadway 735, Lincoln
- Lake Street Lincoln
- Aldrich Point Road Lincoln
- Folsom Pond Road 500, Lincoln
- Greenbush
- Fourth Street 22, Old Town
Campgrounds
- Katahdin Shadows Campground
- Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
- Great Pond Military
- Cold River Campground
- Peaks - Kenny State Park
Paddle runs
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
Track Run Around 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 Run Around
Where does the data for Run Around 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 Run Around .