Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel dam
Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel
Upper Kezar Falls on the Ossipee River in Maine is a historic hydroelectric dam that has been providing renewable energy since 1860. This Timber Crib dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a length of 270 feet, with a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet. The dam's maximum discharge capacity is an impressive 16,600 cubic feet per second, making it a significant contributor to the region's energy and water resource management.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Upper Kezar Falls serves as a vital part of the area's infrastructure, with a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, but it undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its continued safety and reliability. The dam also has an uncontrolled spillway width of 270 feet, further enhancing its capacity to manage water flow and prevent flooding in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Upper Kezar Falls represents a fascinating blend of history, technology, and environmental stewardship. As a key player in Maine's hydropower industry, this dam showcases the importance of sustainable energy generation and water management practices. With its rich heritage and ongoing commitment to safety and efficiency, Upper Kezar Falls remains a symbol of the enduring impact of hydroelectric infrastructure on local communities and ecosystems.
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 Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,900 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Bearcamp River At South Tamworth | 198 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 267 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel .
Boat launches
- Tripptown Road 28, Hiram
- Dam Road Porter
- Ossipee River Boat Launch
- Central Avenue Limerick
- Eaton Road 2984, Eaton
- Sokokis Avenue Limington
Campgrounds
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Fiddlehead Campground Showers
- Fiddlehead Campground Checkin And Camp Store
- Office/Recreation Hall
- Fiddlehead Campground B9
Paddle runs
- Thornton Railroad Bridge To Bridgewater/Bristol Town Line
- Woodstock/Thornton Town Line To Thornton Railroad Bridge
- Begins In Franklin To Sewall's Island
- Headwaters At Profile Lake To Southern Boundary Of Franconia Notch State Park
- Sewall's Island To Manchester Street Bridge
Track Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel 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 Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel
Where does the data for Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel 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 Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel .