Gilman Mill dam
Gilman Mill
Gilman Mill in Penobscot, Maine, is a privately owned hydroelectric dam on Blackman Stream, completed in 1963. Standing at 15 feet tall and 250 feet long, this concrete dam serves a primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power. With a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet and a normal storage of 52 acre-feet, Gilman Mill plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Gilman Mill is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Maine Emergency Management Agency. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, with the last inspection conducted in April 2011. With a spillway width of 40 feet, Gilman Mill is equipped to handle water discharge effectively, contributing to flood control measures in the region.
Located in the New England District, Gilman Mill's operational efficiency and structural integrity are vital for sustainable water resource management and climate resilience. As a key player in the local hydroelectric infrastructure, this dam serves as a reminder of the intersection between water resources, climate adaptation, and renewable energy generation 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 Gilman Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 251 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 16,000 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,470 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 432 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gilman Mill.
Boat launches
- Fourth Street 22, Old Town
- Camp Roosevelt Road 18, Clifton
- Snowmobile Trail 7c Holden Holden
- Greenbush
- Craig Pond Trail 79, Orland
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
Campgrounds
- Cold River Campground
- Star Rock Campsite
- Paul Bunyan Campground
- Great Pond Military
- Balsam Cove Campground
More reservoirs
Track Gilman 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 Gilman Mill
Where does the data for Gilman 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 Gilman Mill.