Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam dam
Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam
The Damariscotta Waste Gate Dam, located in Maine along the Damariscotta River, was completed in 1920 and serves as a vital hydroelectric structure in the area. This concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 9.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 142,529 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the region. With a controlled spillway and two slide gates, the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential but a very high risk assessment, reflecting the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring.
Owned privately, the Damariscotta Waste Gate Dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, ensuring its compliance with safety and environmental standards. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, indicating a need for further evaluation to assess its structural integrity and potential risks. With a history of operation for over a century, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting the local community's energy needs and managing water resources along the Damariscotta River.
As a key infrastructure for hydroelectric power generation, the Damariscotta Waste Gate Dam stands as a testament to sustainable energy practices in the region. Its strategic location and design contribute to the efficient harnessing of water resources for electricity production while also maintaining a balance with environmental conservation efforts. With ongoing inspections and risk assessments, this dam remains a significant asset in the management of water resources and climate impact mitigation in the area.
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 Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 8,390 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 25 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam .
Boat launches
- Town Landing Road 13, Bristol
- North End Boat Launch
- Public Landing 15, Thomaston
- Anchor Road 5, Bath
- South End Boat Launch
- Pitchpole Trail Camden
Track Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam 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 Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam
Where does the data for Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam 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 Damariscotta - Waste Gate Dam .