Sandy Point G.M.A. dam
Sandy Point G.M.A.
Sandy Point G.M.A., located in Waldo, Maine, is a state-regulated dam constructed in 1940 primarily for recreation purposes. This concrete dam stands at a height of 10 feet with a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a length of 130 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 640 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Penobscot River, this dam plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities as well as supporting fish and wildlife habitats in the area.
Although the hazard potential of Sandy Point G.M.A. is rated as low, the dam has not been assessed for its current condition. Despite this, the state of Maine regulates, inspects, and enforces safety measures for this structure, ensuring its compliance with necessary standards. With a spillway width of 20 feet and no associated locks or outlet gates, the dam serves as a valuable asset in water resource management and conservation efforts along the Penobscot River.
While the dam's last inspection date is listed as December 31, 1899, the frequency of inspections is set at 12 months, indicating a commitment to monitoring its safety over time. As a key feature in the region's water infrastructure, Sandy Point G.M.A. contributes to the overall environmental health and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Its presence underscores the importance of effective dam management and maintenance in sustaining water resources and climate resilience 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 Sandy Point G.M.A. -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 37 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 271 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 12,400 cfs | → |
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 352 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sandy Point G.M.A..
Boat launches
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
- Craig Pond Trail 79, Orland
- Water Street, Castine
- Snowmobile Trail 7c Holden Holden
- Little Deer Isle Road 204, Deer Isle
- Town Landing Sedgwick
Track Sandy Point G.M.A. 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 Sandy Point G.M.A.
Where does the data for Sandy Point G.M.A. 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 Sandy Point G.M.A..