Kingfield dam
Kingfield
Kingfield, located in Franklin County, Maine, is home to a concrete dam built in 1811 on the Carrabassett River for hydroelectric purposes. With a dam height of 14 feet and a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet, the Kingfield dam serves multiple functions including fire protection, stock maintenance, flood risk reduction, and hydroelectric power generation. The dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition.
Despite being last inspected in 1999, with an inspection frequency of 12 years, the Kingfield dam remains under state regulation and jurisdiction with oversight from the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The dam's location on the Carrabassett River contributes to its role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the area. The surrounding community benefits from the dam's multifunctional capabilities and historical significance as a key infrastructure for water management in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Kingfield dam provides a fascinating case study of how early 19th-century engineering continues to play a vital role in modern water management practices. The dam's longevity and ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions highlight the importance of sustainable water infrastructure for communities like Kingfield. With its diverse purposes and ongoing regulatory oversight, the Kingfield dam stands as a testament to the intersection of history, hydrology, and community resilience in the face of climate challenges.
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 Kingfield -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Carrabassett River Near North Anson | 895 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At Bingham | 6,390 cfs | → |
| Austin Stream At Bingham | 112 cfs | → |
| Dead River Near Dead River | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Sandy River Near Mercer | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Spencer Stream At Mouth | 361 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kingfield.
Boat launches
- Canadian Road Stratton
- West Shore Road Caratunk
- George Thomas Road Chesterville
- Park Road Rangeley
- Ferry Road Norridgewock
- Perkins Street Norridgewock
Campgrounds
- Happy Horseshoe Campground
- Safford Notch Campsite
- Avery Lean-To
- Cranberry Stream Campsite
- Horns Pond Lean-Tos
- Harrison’S Pierce Pond Camp
More reservoirs
Track Kingfield 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 Kingfield
Where does the data for Kingfield 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 Kingfield.