Lockwood dam
Lockwood
Lockwood, also known as Milstar Dam, is a private hydroelectric concrete structure located on the Kennebec River in Waterville, Maine. Completed in 1919, this dam stands at 17 feet high and spans 875 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 600 acre-feet and a surface area of 81.5 acres. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Lockwood is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes inspections every three years to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite being privately owned, Lockwood plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power and managing water resources in the region. It has a maximum discharge capacity of 123,000 cubic feet per second and features an uncontrolled spillway that is 710 feet wide. The dam serves as an important infrastructure for the community and contributes to the overall water management efforts in the area. Its location on the Kennebec River provides valuable insights into how dams can be utilized for renewable energy production and water resource management in a sustainable manner.
With its historical significance dating back over a century, Lockwood continues to be a key player in the region's water resource and climate initiatives. As part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's oversight, the dam adheres to strict regulations and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. As climate change continues to impact water resources, dams like Lockwood play a crucial role in mitigating risks, managing water levels, and supporting renewable energy generation for a more sustainable future.
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 Lockwood -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 10,100 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,130 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 329 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 756 cfs | → |
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 739 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lockwood .
Track Lockwood 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 Lockwood
Where does the data for Lockwood 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 Lockwood .