Sandy Creek dam
Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek, located in Cumberland, Maine, is a concrete dam completed in 1900 with a primary purpose of recreation. With a dam height of 12 feet and a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, this structure plays a vital role in managing water resources in the area. The dam stands on Willett Brook and serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing habitat for various species while also offering recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors.
Maintained by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Sandy Creek is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state government to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as having low hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition according to a 2012 assessment. Emergency action plans are in place, and the dam undergoes regular inspections every 12 months to monitor its performance and address any potential risks effectively. With its strategic location and role in supporting wildlife and recreation, Sandy Creek stands as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
Overall, Sandy Creek exemplifies the intersection of water management, recreational activities, and environmental conservation. As a concrete dam with a long history of service, it continues to contribute to the local ecosystem and community resilience. From providing essential water storage to supporting wildlife habitats and offering recreational opportunities, Sandy Creek is a prime example of a multifunctional structure that underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management 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 Sandy Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,900 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 8,740 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 194 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sandy Creek.
Boat launches
- Power House Road, Bridgton
- Wabunaki Road 10, Denmark
- Denmark Road 99, Denmark
- Peabody Pond Public Boat Launch
- Norway Road Harrison
- Pismo Beach Road 38, Oxford
Campgrounds
- Salmon Point City Campground
- Office/Recreation Hall
- Seeds Of Peace Camp
- Hoop Basketball Camp
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Goodwins Lodge
Track Sandy Creek 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 Sandy Creek
Where does the data for Sandy Creek 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 Sandy Creek.