Sebec dam
Sebec
Sebec is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located on the Sebec River in Milo, Maine. Completed in 1984, this timber crib dam stands at 15 feet tall and spans 273 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 60,330 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 14,200 cubic feet per second. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, making it a vital asset for sustainable energy production in the region.
Despite its age, Sebec dam is considered to have a high hazard potential due to its structural design and location. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes regular inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in April 2021, indicating ongoing efforts to mitigate risks and ensure preparedness for any potential incidents or emergencies.
With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Sebec dam is a crucial piece of infrastructure in the region, providing both power generation and water resource management. As climate change continues to impact water resources and energy production, the upkeep and safety of dams like Sebec are essential for maintaining a sustainable and resilient infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Sebec -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 597 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 172 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 17,100 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 270 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 344 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sebec .
Boat launches
- Vaughn Road 360, Dover-Foxcroft
- Boat Landing Road 20, Piscataquis County
- Greenbush
- West Broadway 735, Lincoln
- Landing Road Penobscot County
- Trail Penobscot County
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Kennebec Gorge
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
More reservoirs
Track Sebec 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 Sebec
Where does the data for Sebec 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 Sebec .