Branch Lake dam
Branch Lake
Branch Lake, located in Ellsworth, Maine, is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. The dam at Branch Lake, completed in 1911, stands at a height of 15 feet and has a storage capacity of 18,100 acre-feet. The lake serves multiple purposes including fire protection, recreation, and water supply for the surrounding area.
With a fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, Branch Lake is closely monitored with inspections every 6 years to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam, primarily a rockfill type, spans 294 feet in length and has a spillway width of 90 feet. This vital water source also supports a variety of activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife conservation in the region.
As a key feature in the local landscape, Branch Lake Stream feeds into Branch Lake and plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction and maintaining water quality. The lake's association with hydroelectric power generation underscores its importance in sustainable energy production and resource management in the region. With its rich history and diverse ecosystem, Branch Lake remains a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Branch Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 344 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 404 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 45 cfs | → |
| Libby Brook Near Northfield | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Branch Lake.
Boat launches
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
- Craig Pond Trail 79, Orland
- Camp Roosevelt Road 18, Clifton
- Snowmobile Trail 7c Holden Holden
- Eagle Lake Carriage Road Bar Harbor
- Water Street, Castine
Track Branch Lake 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 Branch Lake
Where does the data for Branch Lake 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 Significant 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 Branch Lake.