Scopan dam
Scopan
Scopan is a privately owned concrete hydroelectric dam located in Ashland, Maine along the Squa Pan Stream. Completed in 1928, this dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. With a height of 35 feet and a length of 590 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 59,300 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5,043 acres. It has a controlled spillway with a width of 24 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 20,900 cubic feet per second.
The dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and has a high hazard potential due to its location and structural characteristics. Despite a very high risk assessment rating, the condition assessment of the dam is currently not available. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are also not readily accessible for Scopan, raising concerns about the preparedness for potential emergencies or disasters. With its historical significance and strategic location in Aroostook County, Maine, Scopan serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the data on Scopan presents a compelling case study for the challenges and opportunities associated with managing hydroelectric infrastructure in a changing climate. The dam's role in flood risk reduction and power generation underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices and emergency preparedness. With ongoing inspection and regulatory oversight by FERC, the future of Scopan hinges on effective risk mitigation strategies and investment in infrastructure resilience to ensure the safety and reliability of this key water resource system.
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 Scopan -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Aroostook River Near Masardis | 2,060 cfs | → |
| Aroostook River At Washburn | 3,510 cfs | → |
| Williams Brook At Phair | 7 cfs | → |
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 492 cfs | → |
| Meduxnekeag R Above S Br Medux. R Nr Houlton | 170 cfs | → |
| Meduxnekeag River Near Houlton | 222 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scopan .
Boat launches
- Niles Road 38, Presque Isle
- Riverside Drive Presque Isle
- Castle Hill Road 730, Washburn
- Main Street Presque Isle
- Snowmobile Its 85 Portage Lake
- Fort Fairfield Road Caribou
Paddle runs
- Grand Lake Matagamon To Bowlin Camps
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
More reservoirs
Track Scopan 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 Scopan
Where does the data for Scopan 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 Scopan .