Coffin dam, located in Smithfield, Maine, is a privately owned structure that serves a primary purpose of recreation.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1849, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans a length of 86 feet. It holds a normal storage capacity of 4000 acre-feet and has a surface area of 1920 acres, with a drainage area of 14 square miles. The dam has a low hazard potential and its condition is currently not rated.
Sitting on Sucker Brook, Coffin dam is regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, it undergoes inspections every 12 months, with the last inspection conducted in April 2009. The dam features a spillway width of 34 feet and is situated within the New England District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Coffin dam offers a historic glimpse into early 19th-century dam construction and its role in providing recreational opportunities in the Somerset County area. With its modest size and low hazard potential, this structure stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of dam infrastructure in Maine, showcasing the balance between human recreation and environmental stewardship in managing water resources.
Year Completed |
1849 |
Dam Length |
86 |
Dam Height |
10 |
River Or Stream |
Sucker Brook |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
1920 |
Hydraulic Height |
6 |
Drainage Area |
14 |
Nid Storage |
6300 |
Structural Height |
10 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Nid Height |
10 |
Sandy River Near Mercer
|
326cfs |
Kennebec River At North Sidney
|
2360cfs |
Carrabassett River Near North Anson
|
304cfs |
Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner
|
136cfs |
Kennebec River At Bingham
|
1990cfs |
Austin Stream At Bingham
|
55cfs |