East Branch dam
East Branch
East Branch is a public utility located in Damariscotta, Maine, with a primary purpose of providing fire protection and serving as a small fish pond. Completed in 1978, this earth dam stands at 20 feet in height and spans 250 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet, it covers a surface area of 2 acres and is regulated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition as of the last inspection in May 2020.
The East Branch dam plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife and ensuring fire protection for the surrounding area. Managed by a public utility, it is subject to regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement by state regulatory agencies. With a spillway width of 4 feet and a hydraulic height of 18 feet, the dam serves as a vital resource in the region. Located in Lincoln County, Maine, this structure not only serves practical purposes but also adds to the scenic beauty of the landscape.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, East Branch offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure development and environmental conservation. With its earth dam construction and stone core types, the dam reflects a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics. As efforts to enhance emergency preparedness continue, the East Branch dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and regulating water resources for the benefit of both humans and wildlife in the region.
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 East Branch -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sheepscot River At North Whitefield | 312 cfs | → |
| Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner | 726 cfs | → |
| Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville | 25 cfs | → |
| Kennebec River At North Sidney | 8,390 cfs | → |
| Androscoggin River Near Auburn | 7,760 cfs | → |
| Nezinscot River At Turner Center | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Branch.
Boat launches
- Town Landing Road 13, Bristol
- Public Landing 15, Thomaston
- North End Boat Launch
- Pitchpole Trail Camden
- Anchor Road 5, Bath
- South End Boat Launch
Track East Branch 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 East Branch
Where does the data for East Branch 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 East Branch.