Whiskeag dam
Whiskeag
Whiskeag, located in Bath, Maine, is a hydroelectric dam on Whiskeag Creek with a primary purpose of generating power. Constructed in 1937, this concrete dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a hydraulic height of 6 feet. With a storage capacity of 186 acre-feet, it serves as a key water resource for the region. Despite its historical significance, Whiskeag Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition, raising concerns among water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Whiskeag Dam faces enforcement and inspection to ensure its structural integrity and public safety. The dam's poor condition assessment in 2013 highlights the need for ongoing maintenance and potential risk management measures. With a low hazard potential, Whiskeag Dam presents an opportunity for stakeholders to address its structural concerns and enhance its role in sustainable water resource management for the future.
As a part of the New England District and Congressional District 01 in Maine, Whiskeag Dam plays a crucial role in the region's water infrastructure. With its historical significance, hydroelectric purpose, and state-regulated status, the dam offers a unique opportunity for collaboration between local authorities, climate enthusiasts, and water resource experts to address its maintenance needs and ensure its continued operation in a changing climate landscape.
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 Whiskeag -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 8,390 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whiskeag.
Boat launches
- Anchor Road 5, Bath
- North End Boat Launch
- South End Boat Launch
- Water Street Boat Landing
- Maquoit Road Brunswick
- Holbrook Street 73, Harpswell
Track Whiskeag 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 Whiskeag
Where does the data for Whiskeag 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 Whiskeag.