Rumford Falls Middle Dam dam
Rumford Falls Middle Dam
Rumford Falls Middle Dam, also known as Middle Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Rumford, Maine along the Androscoggin River. Completed in 1892, this timber crib dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 428 feet, with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. With a maximum discharge capacity of 75,000 cubic feet per second and a storage capacity of 141 acre-feet, this dam plays a significant role in the region's water resource management.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Rumford Falls Middle Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential and moderate risk level. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 328 feet, serving to regulate water flow and prevent flooding downstream. Although the condition assessment is not available, regular inspections are conducted to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With its historical significance and vital role in hydroelectric power generation, Rumford Falls Middle Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and sustainable energy production in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Rumford Falls Middle Dam to be a fascinating example of early 20th-century engineering and its continued relevance in modern water management practices. The dam's location in the scenic landscape of Oxford County, Maine adds to its appeal, making it a site of interest for those interested in the intersection of human infrastructure with natural resources. As conversations around renewable energy and sustainable water use continue to evolve, Rumford Falls Middle Dam serves as a tangible reminder of the ongoing importance of responsible water resource management in a changing 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 Rumford Falls Middle Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin River At Rumford | 4,670 cfs | → |
| Swift River Near Roxbury | 162 cfs | → |
| Ellis River At South Andover | 280 cfs | → |
| Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris | 125 cfs | → |
| Wild River At Gilead | 158 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rumford Falls Middle Dam .
Boat launches
- Rowe Hill Road Woodstock
- Federal Road 694, Livermore
- South Arm Road Oxford County
- Howes Corner Road Leeds
- Singepole Trail Paris
- George Thomas Road Chesterville
Track Rumford Falls Middle 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 Rumford Falls Middle Dam
Where does the data for Rumford Falls Middle 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 Significant 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 Rumford Falls Middle Dam .