Ulmer Brook dam
Ulmer Brook
Ulmer Brook, located in Hancock County, Maine, is a private earth dam completed in 1981 primarily for recreational purposes such as fishing and wildlife pond enjoyment. With a structural height of 10 feet and a length of 400 feet, this dam holds a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 23 acre-feet. The dam has a surface area of 15 acres and a drainage area of 0.72 square miles, making it a significant water resource in the area.
Despite its recreational value, Ulmer Brook dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in May 2017 revealed the need for improvements to meet safety standards. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk assessment are unclear, indicating a potential need for updated emergency preparedness measures to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam's condition. With its location in Maine and the involvement of the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in regulatory oversight, the future of Ulmer Brook's dam safety and management remains a critical concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
In light of the dam's condition and hazard potential, stakeholders, including the private owners and regulatory agencies, may need to collaborate on necessary maintenance and improvement efforts to ensure the safety and sustainability of Ulmer Brook dam. Enhanced inspection frequency, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness measures could be essential steps to address the identified deficiencies and mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam. By prioritizing safety and compliance with regulatory standards, stakeholders can work towards preserving Ulmer Brook as a valuable water resource for recreational activities while safeguarding against any environmental or public safety concerns.
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 Ulmer Brook -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 37 cfs | → |
| Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor | 271 cfs | → |
| West Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 1 cfs | → |
| East Br Bear Brook Near Beddington | 0 cfs | → |
| Narraguagus River At Cherryfield | 352 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 12,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ulmer Brook.
Boat launches
- Acadia Highway 1117, East Orland
- Craig Pond Trail 79, Orland
- Water Street, Castine
- Snowmobile Trail 7c Holden Holden
- Little Deer Isle Road 204, Deer Isle
- Town Landing Sedgwick
Track Ulmer Brook 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 Ulmer Brook
Where does the data for Ulmer Brook 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 Ulmer Brook.