West Grand Lake dam
West Grand Lake
West Grand Lake, also known as Grand Lake Stream Dam, is a private hydroelectric structure located in Grand Lake Stream, Maine. Built in 1836, this timber crib dam stands at a height of 13.3 feet and spans 487 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 160,900 acre-feet and a surface area of 23,500 acres. The dam serves the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, utilizing a controlled spillway with a width of 40 feet.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, West Grand Lake has a significant hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam is inspected annually, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. The dam's outlet gates consist of five slide (sluice) gates, and it is situated on the West Branch St. Croix River within the Washington County of Maine.
As a pivotal structure in the region's water resource management, West Grand Lake plays a crucial role in regulating water flow, storing water for hydroelectric power generation, and providing recreational opportunities for the local community. Its historical significance, engineering design, and operational aspects make it a fascinating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and study.
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 West Grand Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream | 317 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 36 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At Baring | 1,720 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 8 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Grand Lake .
Boat launches
- Route 6 Topsfield
- Unnamed 9 Road Washington County
- Vose Pond Road Calais
- Mountain View Lane 2, Beddington
Campgrounds
- Third Lake Outlet Camp
- Third Machias Camp
- Campsite On Lake
- Fifth Stream Campsite
- Start To Road Toward Mathias Lakes Camp
- Airline Rips Campsite
More reservoirs
Track West Grand Lake 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 West Grand Lake
Where does the data for West Grand Lake 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 West Grand Lake .