Sam Ayers Dam dam
Sam Ayers Dam
Sam Ayers Dam, located in Lincoln, Maine, is a vital water resource managed by the USDA NRCS. Completed in 2002, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a storage capacity of 950 acre-feet and a surface area of 120 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities.
The dam, constructed with stone core and rock-soil foundations, spans 180 feet in length and has a spillway width of 20 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment due to its location on the Sam Ayers River and its potential impact on the surrounding area in case of emergencies. Regular inspections by the NRCS ensure the structural integrity of the dam, with an inspection frequency of 5 years.
Overall, Sam Ayers Dam serves as a testament to the importance of water resource management in maintaining ecological balance and supporting local communities. Its role in providing habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as recreational opportunities, highlights the value of sustainable dam construction and maintenance 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 Sam Ayers Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 3,650 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 17,100 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 3,130 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 597 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 344 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sam Ayers Dam.
Boat launches
- West Broadway 735, Lincoln
- Lake Street Lincoln
- Medway Road Millinocket
- Dickey Moore Road 170, Medway
- Aldrich Point Road Lincoln
- Mike Michaud Trail Millinocket
Campgrounds
- Katahdin Shadows Campground
- Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
- Remote Site 5k
- Remote Site 5j
- Remote Site 4i
- Remote Site 3h
Paddle runs
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
More reservoirs
Track Sam Ayers 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 Sam Ayers Dam
Where does the data for Sam Ayers 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 Sam Ayers Dam.