Stanhope Mill #2 Lower dam
Stanhope Mill #2 Lower
Stanhope Mill #2 Lower, also known as Upper Cold Stream Pond, is a privately owned hydroelectric facility located in Penobscot, Maine. The dam was completed in 1827 and stands at a height of 13 feet, with a hydraulic height of 7 feet. Its primary purpose is to generate hydroelectric power, while also serving as a recreational site for enthusiasts of water resources and climate.
With a normal storage capacity of 1295 acre-feet and a surface area of 504 acres, Stanhope Mill #2 Lower plays a significant role in water management in the region. The dam spans 155 feet in length and is primarily made of concrete, with additional components such as earth, gravity, rockfill, and stone. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition, suggesting a sturdy and reliable structure.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Stanhope Mill #2 Lower undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The last inspection was conducted in October 2014, with an inspection frequency of 12 months. While the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, its low hazard potential and historical significance make it a valuable asset for both hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities in the area.
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 Stanhope Mill #2 Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 18,200 cfs | → |
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 4,060 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 3,300 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 3,320 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 381 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stanhope Mill #2 Lower.
Boat launches
- Folsom Pond Road 500, Lincoln
- Aldrich Point Road Lincoln
- Lake Street Lincoln
- West Broadway 735, Lincoln
- Greenbush
- Dickey Moore Road 170, Medway
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
Track Stanhope Mill #2 Lower 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 Stanhope Mill #2 Lower
Where does the data for Stanhope Mill #2 Lower 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 Stanhope Mill #2 Lower.