Gambo dam
Gambo
Gambo, also known as Newhall Dam, is a private hydroelectric structure located in Windham, Maine along the Presumpscot River. Built in 1911, this concrete gravity dam stands at 24 feet tall and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1261 acre-feet. Operated under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Gambo serves as a low hazard dam with a moderate risk assessment rating.
With a normal storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 10,135 cubic feet per second, Gambo plays a vital role in regulating water flow and generating hydroelectric power in the region. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 259 feet and three slide gates for outlet control. Despite its age, the structure has not undergone recent condition assessments, and its emergency action plan status remains unclear.
As a key player in the New England District, Gambo stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering and continues to contribute to the region's water resource management and energy production efforts. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find this historic dam a fascinating example of sustainable infrastructure that has stood the test of time.
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 Gambo -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,160 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 225 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,420 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gambo .
Boat launches
- Gambo Road Gorham
- Mountain Division Trail Windham
- Tow Path Gorham
- Sappi Portage Trail Gorham
- Mosher Road Gorham
- Snowmobile Falmouth Trail Westbrook
Campgrounds
- Migis Lodge
- Wild Duck Campground & Rv Park
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Bayley's Camping Resort
- Laurel South
More reservoirs
Track Gambo 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 Gambo
Where does the data for Gambo 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 Gambo .