Lowell Lake dam
Lowell Lake
Lowell Lake, located in Penobscot, Maine, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose that goes beyond just water storage. This rockfill dam, completed in 1900, stands at 12 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 403 acre-feet. Despite its small surface area of 0.5 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
While the dam's hazard potential is considered low, its condition assessment is rated as poor, with the last inspection conducted in September 2011. The dam is regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement all in place. The surrounding area is at a low risk for inundation, and there are currently no risk management measures in place.
With its rich history dating back over a century, Lowell Lake remains a significant feature in the water resource landscape of Maine. Climate enthusiasts and water resource experts alike will find interest in studying the dam's design, construction, and regulatory framework to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the years to come.
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 Lowell Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 3,650 cfs | → |
| Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream | 321 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 17,100 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 42 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 3,130 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At Vanceboro | 372 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lowell Lake.
Boat launches
- Route 6 Topsfield
- Folsom Pond Road 500, Lincoln
- Aldrich Point Road Lincoln
- Lake Street Lincoln
- West Broadway 735, Lincoln
Campgrounds
- Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
- Third Lake Outlet Camp
- Fifth Stream Campsite
- Third Machias Camp
- Campsite On Lake
- Katahdin Shadows Campground
Paddle runs
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
More reservoirs
Track Lowell Lake 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 Lowell Lake
Where does the data for Lowell Lake 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 Lowell Lake.