Cochnewagon dam
Cochnewagon
Cochnewagon, situated in Kennebec, Maine, is a concrete dam with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, as well as serving for recreation and water supply. Completed in 1900, this dam stands at a height of 9 feet with a hydraulic height of 6 feet, providing storage of 1590 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 403 acres. The dam regulates Mud Mills Stream and is under the jurisdiction of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, ensuring it meets state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its historical significance and multifaceted utility, Cochnewagon's condition assessment is deemed unsatisfactory, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in July 2018 revealed the need for improvements, as the dam falls short of safety standards. The emergency action plan (EAP) for Cochnewagon was last revised in October 2020, indicating ongoing efforts to address potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding area in the event of an emergency. Climate and water resource enthusiasts are urged to monitor updates on Cochnewagon's risk management measures and improvements to safeguard this vital infrastructure and the community it serves.
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 Cochnewagon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 756 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 8,740 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 329 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 10,100 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cochnewagon.
Boat launches
- Cobbosseeconte Lake Boat Launch
- Litchfield
- Maranacook Lake South Public Boat Ramp
- Lower Narrows Pond Public Boat Ramp
- Gulf Island Pond Public Boat Ramp
- Main Street 620, Wayne
Track Cochnewagon 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 Cochnewagon
Where does the data for Cochnewagon 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 Cochnewagon.