Nicatous Stream dam
Nicatous Stream
Nicatous Stream, located in Hancock, Maine, is a vital water resource that serves primarily for recreation purposes. The stream is regulated by the state and has a timber crib dam that was completed in 1974. The dam stands at 8 feet in height, with a hydraulic height of 2 feet and a length of 75 feet, creating a storage capacity of 371,503 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 230,703 acre-feet. The stream covers a surface area of 5,165 acres and has a drainage area of 71 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, Nicatous Stream and its dam play a crucial role in managing water resources and providing recreational opportunities in the area. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and the last inspection date was recorded as far back as December 31, 1899. However, the state enforces regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement of regulations to ensure the safety and sustainability of the dam and the stream. With its picturesque location and significant storage capacity, Nicatous Stream remains an important water feature for enthusiasts of water resources and climate.
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 Nicatous Stream -- 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 | → |
| Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream | 317 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 14,300 cfs | → |
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 2,750 cfs | → |
| Old Stream Near Wesley | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nicatous Stream.
Boat launches
- Folsom Pond Road 500, Lincoln
- Aldrich Point Road Lincoln
- Lake Street Lincoln
- Greenbush
- Mountain View Lane 2, Beddington
- West Broadway 735, Lincoln
Campgrounds
- Fifth Stream Campsite
- Great Pond Military
- Third Lake Outlet Camp
- Third Machias Camp
- Campsite On Lake
- Start To Road Toward Mathias Lakes Camp
Track Nicatous Stream 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 Nicatous Stream
Where does the data for Nicatous Stream 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 Nicatous Stream.