Lower Reservoir dam
Lower Reservoir
Lower Reservoir in Waldo, Maine, is a concrete gravity dam completed in 1943 with a primary purpose of recreation. Situated on the Little River, this reservoir offers a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various water-based activities. With a maximum storage capacity of 615 acre-feet and a normal storage of 370 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 39 acres and has a drainage area of 16.5 square miles.
The dam stands at a height of 36 feet, with a hydraulic height of 30 feet, providing both structural integrity and flood control capabilities. Despite its significant hazard potential, Lower Reservoir is deemed to be in satisfactory condition, last assessed in October 2015. The dam's spillway width of 91 feet ensures efficient water discharge during periods of high flow, while its location in a state-regulated area under MEMA's jurisdiction guarantees regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
Managed by a public utility, Lower Reservoir is a vital water resource contributing to the local community's recreational needs. With its historical significance and strategic location, this dam serves as a key infrastructure supporting water supply and climate resilience efforts in the region. Climate enthusiasts and water resource professionals can appreciate the ecological and social benefits provided by Lower Reservoir, making it a valuable asset in Maine's water management infrastructure.
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 Lower Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 28 cfs | → |
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 329 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 179 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 10,100 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 756 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Water Street, Castine
- Turnpike Drive Camden
- Megunticook Lake
- Pitchpole Trail Camden
- Little Deer Isle Road 204, Deer Isle
- Town Landing Sedgwick
Campgrounds
- Camden Hills State Park
- Lake St. George State Park
- Mic Mac Ln, Llc
- Balsam Cove Campground
- Oceanfront Camping @ Reach Knolls
- Tops'l Farm
More reservoirs
Track Lower Reservoir 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 Lower Reservoir
Where does the data for Lower Reservoir 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 Lower Reservoir.