Sawtelle Deadwater dam
Sawtelle Deadwater
Sawtelle Deadwater, located in Penobscot, Maine, is a state-regulated earth dam built in 1880 for hydroelectric purposes. With a dam height of 8 feet and a hydraulic height of 4 feet, this structure spans 66 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 1090 acre-feet. The reservoir also serves recreational, fish and wildlife pond, and other purposes, covering a surface area of 200 acres.
Owned and regulated by the state agency MEMA, Sawtelle Deadwater has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated in terms of condition assessment. Despite its age, this dam undergoes regular inspections every 12 months to ensure its safety and functionality. With a spillway width of 83 feet, the dam is designed to manage any excess water flow effectively, mitigating potential risks and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sawtelle Deadwater represents a historic piece of infrastructure that continues to play a significant role in the local ecosystem. As a key player in Maine's hydroelectric network, this dam stands as a testament to the state's commitment to sustainable energy practices and the preservation of natural resources. With its multi-purpose design and state-of-the-art regulatory framework, Sawtelle Deadwater exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of human development and environmental conservation in the modern era.
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 Sawtelle Deadwater -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 363 cfs | → |
| Aroostook River Near Masardis | 1,480 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Meduxnekeag R Above S Br Medux. R Nr Houlton | 116 cfs | → |
| Meduxnekeag River Near Houlton | 222 cfs | → |
| Williams Brook At Phair | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sawtelle Deadwater.
Boat launches
- Grand Lake Road Penobscot County
- Its 85 Penobscot County
- Grand Lake Road Piscataquis County
- Sherman Lumber Co Road Penobscot County
- Lunkasoo Road Penobscot County
- Fredericka's Way Maine
Campgrounds
- First Lake Tentsite
- Stair Falls Campsite
- Pond Pitch
- Togue Ledge Tentsite
- Billfish Pond Tentsite
- Long Pond Pines Tentsite
Paddle runs
- Grand Lake Matagamon To Bowlin Camps
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
Track Sawtelle Deadwater 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 Sawtelle Deadwater
Where does the data for Sawtelle Deadwater 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 Sawtelle Deadwater.