Folly Pond South dam
Folly Pond South
Folly Pond South, also known as Upper Folly Pond, is a crucial water supply infrastructure located in York, Maine. This public utility dam was completed in 1942 and stands at a height of 28 feet, with a hydraulic height of 22 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 768 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 70 acres. The spillway width of 142 feet ensures proper water discharge during peak periods.
Maintained and regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Folly Pond South plays a significant role in ensuring water supply security in the region. The dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently not rated. Despite this, regular inspections are conducted every 12 months to monitor and evaluate the structural integrity of the dam. Emergency action plans are in place, although they have not been updated recently.
Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience can appreciate the role of Folly Pond South in safeguarding the water supply for the community. With its strategic location and design features, this earth dam serves as a critical infrastructure for water storage and management in the region. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources, the proper maintenance and regulation of dams like Folly Pond South are essential for ensuring resilience and sustainability in the face of evolving environmental threats.
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 Folly Pond South -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winnicut River At Greenland | 17 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 53 cfs | → |
| Oyster River Near Durham | 11 cfs | → |
| Lamprey River Near Newmarket | 119 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 97 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 225 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Folly Pond South.
Boat launches
- Dover Eliot Road South Berwick
- Salmon Falls River Boat Launch
- Piscataqua River Boat Launch
- Little Harbor Loop Trail Portsmouth
- Odiorne Point Boat Launch
- Willand Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Old Stage Campground
- Tidewater Campground
- Remote Campsite
- Saddleback Campground
- Ferry Beach Campground
- Salisbury State Park Reservation
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Folly Pond South 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 Folly Pond South
Where does the data for Folly Pond South 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 Folly Pond South.