Lower Lead Mountain dam
Lower Lead Mountain
Lower Lead Mountain is a privately owned recreational dam located in Hancock, Maine, along the Starvation Branch river. Built in 1900, this dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 120 feet. It serves the primary purpose of recreation, offering a storage capacity of 5,510 acre-feet and a spillway width of 50 feet. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Lower Lead Mountain is a picturesque structure that contributes to the natural beauty of its surroundings.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), this dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state of Maine. While it does not have any associated structures or locks, Lower Lead Mountain provides a serene recreational space for visitors to enjoy. Despite its age, the dam has not been modified over the years and has not undergone a recent condition assessment. Its emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unspecified, reflecting a need for further evaluation and documentation to ensure the safety and sustainability of this water resource.
With its historical significance and tranquil setting, Lower Lead Mountain remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. While its condition assessment may be lacking, the dam's low hazard potential and regulated status offer reassurance of its overall safety. As efforts continue to preserve and maintain this recreational structure, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible stewardship of our water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Lower Lead Mountain -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 404 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 10 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 42 cfs | → |
| Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream | 321 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Lead Mountain.
Boat launches
- Mountain View Lane 2, Beddington
- Unnamed 9 Road Washington County
- Camp Roosevelt Road 18, Clifton
- Fourth Street 22, Old Town
- Greenbush
- Pinkham Bay Bridge Road 71, Steuben
Track Lower Lead Mountain 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 Lower Lead Mountain
Where does the data for Lower Lead Mountain 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 Lower Lead Mountain.