Farnsworth dam
Farnsworth
Farnsworth, located in Androscoggin, Maine, is a private dam on the Sabattus River with a history dating back to its completion in 1850. This concrete gravity dam stands at 13 feet high and spans 134 feet in length, providing storage of 204 acre-feet of water for a drainage area of 70 square miles. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential but is currently in poor condition, with a condition assessment conducted in 2012.
The state of Maine regulates Farnsworth, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement all conducted by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is important to note its location within a sensitive watershed and the potential impact its failure could have on downstream communities. With its unique design and historical significance, Farnsworth serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring aging infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the condition of dams like Farnsworth becomes increasingly critical. Understanding the risks associated with aging dams and implementing adequate risk management measures will be essential in ensuring the safety and sustainability of these structures in the face of changing environmental conditions. Farnsworth stands as a testament to the intersection of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship, serving as a focal point for ongoing discussions and actions to safeguard our water resources for future generations.
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 Farnsworth -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 125 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Farnsworth.
Boat launches
- Pejepscot Boat Ramp
- Durham Boat Launch
- Lincoln Street 518, Lewiston
- Lake Street Sabattus
- Second Street 10, Auburn
- Riverwalk Auburn
Campgrounds
- Recompense Campground
- Laurel South
- Chewonki Campground
- Dunn's Campground
- Hoop Basketball Camp
- Seeds Of Peace Camp
More reservoirs
Track Farnsworth 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 Farnsworth
Where does the data for Farnsworth 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 Farnsworth.