Parson's Mill dam
Parson's Mill
Parson's Mill, located in Auburn, Maine, along the Taylor Brook, is a historic hydroelectric dam that was completed in 1860. This private dam serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, creating a fish and wildlife pond, and generating hydroelectric power. With a dam height of 10 feet and a concrete structure, Parson's Mill has a normal storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 120 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 12 acres.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Parson's Mill is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition. Despite its age, Parson's Mill remains a key asset in managing water resources in the region, providing both environmental benefits and renewable energy through its hydroelectric operations. As a significant piece of infrastructure in Androscoggin County, this dam plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and water management efforts.
Jared F. Golden (D) represents the New England District where Parson's Mill is located, highlighting the importance of this structure in the region's water resource and climate management strategies. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, dams like Parson's Mill play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks, supporting wildlife habitats, and providing sustainable energy solutions. With its long history and ongoing regulatory oversight, Parson's Mill stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, renewable energy production, and environmental stewardship in Maine.
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 Parson's Mill -- 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 | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 125 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parson's Mill.
Track Parson's Mill 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 Parson's Mill
Where does the data for Parson's Mill 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 Parson's Mill.