Browns Mill dam
Browns Mill
Browns Mill, located along the Piscataquis River in Maine, is a privately-owned hydroelectric dam with a rich history dating back to its completion in 1856. The dam stands at 24 feet in height and stretches 265 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet for various purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and hydroelectric power generation. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Browns Mill serves as a vital water resource infrastructure in the region.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and regulated by the state, Browns Mill is equipped with state-of-the-art inspection, enforcement, and permitting mechanisms to ensure its safe and efficient operation. Although the dam has not been recently inspected, it has an established inspection frequency of 12 months. Despite its age, Browns Mill continues to play a crucial role in water management and energy production, contributing to the overall resilience of the local ecosystem and community.
As climate change poses new challenges to water resources and infrastructure, Browns Mill stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices and the importance of dam safety. With its concrete structure and historical significance, Browns Mill remains a cornerstone of water resource management in Piscataquis County, Maine, showcasing the intersection of history, technology, and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving climate conditions.
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 Browns Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 404 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 123 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,300 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 186 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 14,400 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 212 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Browns Mill.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Kennebec Gorge
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
Track Browns Mill 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 Browns Mill
Where does the data for Browns Mill 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 Browns Mill.