North Vassalboro dam
North Vassalboro
North Vassalboro is home to a concrete dam constructed in 1900 on the China Lake Outlet, serving multiple essential purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and flood risk reduction. This private-owned structure stands at a height of 15 feet with a hydraulic height of 11 feet, providing a storage capacity of 260 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 85 feet and a surface area of 45 acres, the dam plays a vital role in regulating water levels and protecting the surrounding area from potential hazards.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the dam in North Vassalboro has been deemed to have low hazard potential and has a regular inspection frequency of 12 months. Despite not having a current condition rating, the structure continues to serve its intended purposes efficiently. Located in Kennebec County, Maine, this dam exemplifies the importance of proper infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
North Vassalboro's concrete dam on the China Lake Outlet stands as a testament to the historical engineering efforts in the area, with a primary focus on water storage and protection. As a part of the New England District, the structure is closely monitored and inspected to ensure its continued functionality and safety. With its rich history and strategic location, this dam serves as a vital resource for both local communities and the broader water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
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 North Vassalboro -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 8,390 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 25 cfs | → |
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 659 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Vassalboro.
Track North Vassalboro 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 North Vassalboro
Where does the data for North Vassalboro 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 North Vassalboro.