Little Ossipee Lake dam
Little Ossipee Lake
Little Ossipee Lake in Maine is a picturesque water resource managed by the local government. This concrete dam, completed in 1993, stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 125 feet in length, providing storage capacity of 3400 acre-feet. The lake, fed by the Little Ossipee River, covers an area of 564 acres and serves various purposes beyond just water storage.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated as of June 2018. With state regulation and inspection in place, the dam is equipped for emergencies with an inspection frequency of 12 months. The surrounding area, under the jurisdiction of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, enjoys the presence of this vital infrastructure designed for both recreational and environmental purposes.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Little Ossipee Lake presents a fascinating case study in dam management and resilience. Its role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities within the York County landscape underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. With its low hazard potential and state-regulated oversight, Little Ossipee Lake stands as a testament to the balance between human development and environmental stewardship.
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 Little Ossipee Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saco River At Cornish | 7,160 cfs | → |
| Mousam River Near West Kennebunk | 225 cfs | → |
| Presumpscot River At Westbrook | -999,999 cfs | → |
| Cocheco River Near Rochester | 97 cfs | → |
| Isinglass R At Rochester Neck Rd | 53 cfs | → |
| Saco River Near Conway | 1,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Ossipee Lake.
Boat launches
- Central Avenue Limerick
- Norton Ridge Road 99, Shapleigh
- Sokokis Avenue Limington
- Landing Road 8, Buxton
- West Shore Road 411, Acton
- Emery Mills Road 125, Shapleigh
Campgrounds
- Wild Duck Campground & Rv Park
- Goodwins Lodge
- Goodwins Lodge Cabin 6
- Bayley's Camping Resort
- Ferry Beach Campground
- Migis Lodge
Track Little Ossipee 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 Little Ossipee Lake
Where does the data for Little Ossipee 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 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 Little Ossipee Lake.