Upper Little Falls dam
Upper Little Falls
Upper Little Falls, nestled in the serene beauty of Washington, Maine, stands as a marvel of engineering and nature conservation. This concrete dam, standing at a height of 20 feet and stretching 120 feet in length, was completed in 1950 with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. It also serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife, flood risk reduction, recreation, and more, showcasing its multi-faceted role in water resource management.
With a storage capacity of 5600 acre-feet and a surface area of 1209 acres, Upper Little Falls plays a crucial role in regulating the Pennamaquan River's flow and supporting the local ecosystem. The dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory, with a significant hazard potential that necessitates regular inspections. The state of Maine, through MEMA, enforces strict regulatory measures to ensure the dam's safety and functionality, demonstrating a commitment to responsible water resource management and climate resilience.
Visitors to Upper Little Falls not only witness a stunning display of hydraulic engineering but also experience the harmonious blend of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. As a key player in the New England District, this dam symbolizes the intersection of innovation, conservation, and sustainability in the realm of water resources. Its presence underscores the importance of balancing energy production with ecological preservation, making it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking inspiration and insight into the intricate relationship between humans and nature.
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 Upper Little Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dennys River At Dennysville | 1,010 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At Baring | 1,870 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 42 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 10 cfs | → |
| Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream | 321 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At Vanceboro | 372 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Little Falls.
Boat launches
- River Road Robbinston
- Vose Pond Road Calais
- Maxwell Road Saint George Parish
- Red Trail Whale Cove
- Schoppee Point Road 298, Roque Bluffs
Track Upper Little Falls 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 Upper Little Falls
Where does the data for Upper Little Falls 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 Upper Little Falls.