Branns Mill dam
Branns Mill
Branns Mill, located in Piscataquis, Maine, is a historic timber crib dam that was completed in the year 1900. This dam is situated on the Black Stream and serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, fire protection, stock and small fish pond, flood risk reduction, fish and wildlife pond, and recreation. With a dam height of 14 feet and a structural height of 14 feet, Branns Mill has a normal storage capacity of 1550 acre-feet and a surface area of 271 acres.
Managed by the local government, Branns Mill is regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement procedures. With a low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam has an emergency action plan (EAP) in place, but details on its preparedness, last revision date, and adherence to guidelines are not available. Despite being non-USACE managed, Branns Mill remains a significant water resource structure in the region, contributing to the environmental, recreational, and hydroelectric needs of the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Branns Mill presents a fascinating blend of history, engineering, and natural resource management. As a relic from the turn of the century, this timber crib dam continues to play a vital role in the local ecosystem, providing valuable services such as flood control, wildlife habitat, and renewable energy generation. With its low hazard potential and diverse range of purposes, Branns Mill stands as a testament to the enduring importance of water infrastructure in sustaining both human communities and the environment.
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 Branns Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft | 352 cfs | → |
| Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village | 113 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 1,930 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Blanchard | 158 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 179 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 12,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Branns Mill.
Boat launches
- Vaughn Road 360, Dover-Foxcroft
- Boat Landing Road 20, Piscataquis County
- Greenbush
- Fourth Street 22, Old Town
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Mouth At West Branch Pleasant River
- Kennebec Gorge
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Lobster Lake To Confluence With West Branch
- Hay Brook To Bridge Above Medway At State Route 157
More reservoirs
Track Branns Mill 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 Branns Mill
Where does the data for Branns Mill 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 Branns Mill.