Howard Mill Dam dam
Howard Mill Dam
Howard Mill Dam, located in Washington, Maine, is a federally-owned structure managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Engineering. Completed in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and spans 180 feet in length along the Magurrewock Stream. With a primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond, the dam has a storage capacity of 253 acre-feet and serves as a vital resource for the surrounding ecosystem.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Howard Mill Dam poses a very high risk, according to the data. The dam features controlled spillways with a width of 28 feet and other controlled outlet gates. The structure has been inspected regularly, with the last assessment conducted in June 2014, and is regulated by the Fish and Wildlife Service. While the risk assessment indicates potential vulnerabilities, the dam continues to play a critical role in managing water resources in the region.
With its rich history and essential function in supporting wildlife habitat, Howard Mill Dam serves as a key component in the conservation efforts of the Fish and Wildlife Service. As climate change impacts continue to affect water resources, the maintenance and management of this dam are crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities of structures like Howard Mill Dam sheds light on the intricate balance between human development and environmental preservation.
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 Howard Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River At Baring | 1,810 cfs | → |
| Dennys River At Dennysville | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream | 321 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 38 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 8 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At Vanceboro | 270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howard Mill Dam.
Track Howard Mill Dam 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 Howard Mill Dam
Where does the data for Howard Mill Dam 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 Howard Mill Dam.