Churchill Dam
Churchill
Churchill, located in Piscataquis, Maine, is a state-regulated dam on the Allagash River with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. This concrete dam, completed in 1968, stands at a height of 20 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14 feet. With a storage capacity of 99,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 10,016 acres, Churchill plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and being in "not rated" condition as of the last assessment in 2014, Churchill is subject to regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam also serves recreational purposes in addition to its primary function of hydroelectric power generation. With its close proximity to the New England District and Congressional District 02 in Maine, Churchill remains an important structure in the local water resource infrastructure.
As a key component of the water management system in the area, Churchill contributes to the sustainable utilization of the Allagash River's resources while providing vital services to the community. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, Churchill stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and energy production in the region.
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 Churchill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. John River At Ninemile Bridge | 243 cfs | → |
| Big Black River Near Depot Mtn | 36 cfs | → |
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 39 cfs | → |
| Allagash River Near Allagash | 534 cfs | → |
| Aroostook River Near Masardis | 281 cfs | → |
| St. John River At Dickey | 642 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Churchill.
Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Churchill
Where does the data for Churchill 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 below 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.
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.