Colton Brook is a vital water resource located in Oxford, Maine, designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction.
Wind
Humidity
This Earth dam, completed in 1969, stands at a height of 34 feet and spans 800 feet in length, providing storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment in 2017, it remains under state regulation and inspection, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure.
The dam's location on Colton Brook contributes to its role in managing water flow and reducing flood risks in the area. The surrounding drainage area is 1.4 square miles, with a normal storage capacity of 280 acre-feet and a surface area of 25 acres. The dam's spillway width of 50 feet further enhances its flood control capabilities, showcasing its importance in protecting the local community from potential water-related disasters.
With its association with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and state regulatory agency MEMA, Colton Brook serves as a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction in Oxford County, Maine. Despite its challenges in terms of condition assessment, the ongoing state inspection and enforcement processes ensure that necessary maintenance and improvements are carried out to uphold the dam's functionality and safeguard the surrounding environment and residents from the impacts of extreme weather events and flooding.
Year Completed |
1969 |
Dam Length |
800 |
Dam Height |
34 |
River Or Stream |
Colton Brook |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
25 |
Hydraulic Height |
28 |
Drainage Area |
1.4 |
Nid Storage |
300 |
Structural Height |
34 |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Nid Height |
34 |
Wild River At Gilead
|
48cfs |
Saco River Near Conway
|
315cfs |
Androscoggin River Near Gorham
|
2640cfs |
Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris
|
57cfs |
Ellis River At South Andover
|
74cfs |
Saco River At Cornish
|
1020cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Basin Pond Campground
|
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Basin
|
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Baldface Shelter
|
||
Mountain Pond Shelter
|
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Blue Brook Tentsite
|
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Province Pond Shelter
|