Libby Brook dam
Libby Brook
Libby Brook, located in Aroostook, Maine, is a crucial water resource managed by the local government with oversight from the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Built in 1965 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 53 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction. With a normal storage capacity of 350 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 405 acre-feet, Libby Brook covers a surface area of 7 acres and plays a significant role in controlling debris and reducing flood risks in the area.
Despite its fair condition assessment in 2019, Libby Brook poses a high hazard potential due to its structural design and location. The dam's inspection frequency of 6 years ensures its ongoing safety and functionality, with emergency action plans in place to address any potential risks. Its spillway width of 4 feet and lack of drainage area indicate the importance of regular maintenance and monitoring to prevent any potential breaches that could lead to downstream flooding.
This dam, under the jurisdiction of MEMA and with the support of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, serves as a vital infrastructure for flood protection in the region. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering behind Libby Brook, as it stands as a testament to the efforts in managing and preserving water resources for the community's safety and well-being.
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 Libby Brook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Williams Brook At Phair | 7 cfs | → |
| Aroostook River At Washburn | 3,510 cfs | → |
| Aroostook River Near Masardis | 2,060 cfs | → |
| Meduxnekeag River Near Houlton | 222 cfs | → |
| Meduxnekeag R Above S Br Medux. R Nr Houlton | 170 cfs | → |
| Fish River Near Fort Kent | 3,710 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Libby Brook.
Track Libby Brook 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 Libby Brook
Where does the data for Libby Brook 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 High 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 Libby Brook.