Gilman Stream dam
Gilman Stream
Gilman Stream in Somerset, Maine is home to a historic hydroelectric dam completed in 1911. The dam, standing at a height of 8 feet and stretching 228 feet in length, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and hydroelectric power generation. With a storage capacity of 1600 acre-feet and a drainage area of 133 square miles, the dam has a maximum discharge of 835 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Gilman Stream Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and two slide gates for water release. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, and its last inspection was conducted in September 2017 on a triennial basis. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) may be in place, although details on its preparation and adherence to guidelines are not provided.
Overall, Gilman Stream Dam represents a significant piece of Maine's water infrastructure, providing essential services while also posing manageable risks. As a hydroelectric facility, it plays a role in regional energy production and water resource management. Continued monitoring and maintenance will be crucial to ensure the dam's safe operation and longevity in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Gilman Stream -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 739 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 6,260 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 98 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,130 cfs | → |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 325 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gilman Stream .
Boat launches
- Ferry Road Norridgewock
- Perkins Street Norridgewock
- North Shore Drive Smithfield
- George Thomas Road Chesterville
- West Shore Road Caratunk
- Canaan Road 99, Fairfield
Campgrounds
- Happy Horseshoe Campground
- Safford Notch Campsite
- Avery Lean-To
- Farmington Conference Center
- Cranberry Stream Campsite
- Horns Pond Lean-Tos
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Gilman Stream 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 Gilman Stream
Where does the data for Gilman Stream 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 Gilman Stream .