Gulf Island dam
Gulf Island
Gulf Island, a hydroelectric dam located in Lewiston - Auburn, Maine, is a key player in the management of water resources in the region. Built in 1926, this concrete, earth, and gravity dam stands at a height of 99 feet and spans 2488 feet in length, harnessing the power of the Androscoggin River to generate electricity and provide recreational opportunities for the community. With a storage capacity of 55,100 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 201,000 cubic feet per second, Gulf Island plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and ensuring water security in the area.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Gulf Island has a high hazard potential and is rated as very high risk due to its age and condition. Despite not being state regulated, the dam undergoes regular inspections to assess its safety and integrity, with emergency action plans in place to mitigate any potential risks. The dam's controlled spillway, outlet gates, and multi-arch core design highlight its engineering complexity and the importance of proper maintenance to prevent any potential hazards.
As a significant landmark in water resource management and climate resilience, Gulf Island serves as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Its role in providing clean energy, water storage, and recreational opportunities underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure development in adapting to the challenges of a changing climate. With ongoing risk assessments and management measures, Gulf Island remains a vital asset in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 Gulf Island -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 8,740 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 149 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 756 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 329 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gulf Island .
Track Gulf Island 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 Gulf Island
Where does the data for Gulf Island 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 Gulf Island .