Dunham Brook dam
Dunham Brook
Dunham Brook, located in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, is a crucial water resource managed by the local government. This earth dam, completed in 1973, serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction and holds a normal storage capacity of 510 acre-feet with a maximum storage of 900 acre-feet. With a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 18 feet, this dam plays a vital role in mitigating potential flooding impacts in the area.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Dunham Brook Dam has a spillway width of 225 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 6962 cubic feet per second. This high-hazard potential structure has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with the last inspection conducted in November 2016. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's emergency action plan is up to date, ensuring that appropriate measures can be implemented in case of emergencies related to the structure.
With its critical role in flood risk reduction and water management, Dunham Brook Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between local and federal agencies in safeguarding the surrounding communities from potential water-related hazards. As a key component of the water infrastructure in Piscataquis County, this dam serves as a vital resource for climate and water enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Dunham Brook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 386 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 128 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 183 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 14,300 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 206 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dunham Brook.
Boat launches
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Kennebec Gorge
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
Track Dunham Brook 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 Dunham Brook
Where does the data for Dunham Brook 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 High 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 Dunham Brook.