Little Brook dam
Little Brook
Little Brook is a privately owned dam located in York, Maine, with a primary purpose of recreation. Constructed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a hydraulic height of 8 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. The dam, which spans 330 feet in length, plays a crucial role in regulating water flow in the Little Brook river or stream, with a drainage area of 0.2 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Little Brook is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, with the last inspection conducted in August 2018. With a frequency of inspections set at 12 months, Little Brook remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and maintenance of critical infrastructure in the region.
For those passionate about water resources and climate resilience, Little Brook serves as a case study in dam management and the importance of maintaining infrastructure for recreational and environmental purposes. With its strategic location in York, Maine, this privately owned dam highlights the need for continued vigilance and regulation to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the area. As enthusiasts monitor the condition and management of Little Brook, they are reminded of the vital role that such structures play in the broader ecosystem and community.
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 Little Brook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winnicut River At Greenland | 22 cfs | → |
| Lamprey River Near Newmarket | 137 cfs | → |
| Oyster River Near Durham | 13 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 66 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 117 cfs | → |
| Exeter River At Haigh Road | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Brook.
Boat launches
- Piscataqua River Boat Launch
- Dover Eliot Road South Berwick
- Little Harbor Loop Trail Portsmouth
- Great Bay Boat Launch
- Salmon Falls River Boat Launch
- Odiorne Point Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Old Stage Campground
- Tidewater Campground
- Remote Campsite
- Saddleback Campground
- Salisbury State Park Reservation
- Ferry Beach Campground
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Little 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 Little Brook
Where does the data for Little 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 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 Little Brook.