TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Kennebec River
was last observed at
19,030
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
37,746
acre-ft of water today; about 79%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
24,124 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-12-20 when daily discharge volume was observed at
195,000 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Kennebec River At North Sidney
reporting a streamflow rate of 13,800 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Kennebec River, with a gauge stage of
8.82 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Kennebec River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 581 ft, the
Kennebec River At The Forks.
The Kennebec River is a 170-mile-long river in Maine, flowing from Moosehead Lake to the Atlantic Ocean. It was historically significant for its role in the logging industry and the development of hydroelectric power. The river is home to several reservoirs, including the Wyman Dam and the Indian Pond Dam, that are used for hydroelectric power generation. The most significant dam on the river is the 1,275-foot-long Edwards Dam, which was removed in 1999 to restore the river's natural ecology. The Kennebec River is also popular for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and whitewater rafting. It is a major source of water for agriculture in the region, providing irrigation for crops such as potatoes, corn, and blueberries.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-21 |
| Discharge Volume | 37,746 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
19,030.0 cfs
+1210.0 cfs (+6.79%) |
| Percent of Normal | 78.89% |
| Maximum |
195,000.0 cfs
2023-12-20 |
| Seasonal Avg | 24,124 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kennebec River At The Forks
USGS 01042500 |
1110 cfs | 2.62 ft | -5.13 | |||||
|
Kennebec River At Bingham
USGS 01046500 |
4120 cfs | 8.18 ft | -0.72 | |||||
|
Kennebec River At North Sidney
USGS 01049265 |
13800 cfs | 8.82 ft | 10.4 |
History of the River
The Kennebec River is a 170-mile-long (270 km) river within the U.S. state of Maine.
It rises in Moosehead Lake in west-central Maine. The East and West Outlets join at Indian Pond and the river then flows southward from Harris Station Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the state. It is joined at The Forks by the Dead River, also called the West Branch, then continues south past the cities of Madison, Skowhegan, Waterville, and the state capital Augusta. At Richmond, it flows into Merrymeeting Bay, a 16-mile-long (26 km) freshwater tidal bay into which also flow the Androscoggin River and five smaller rivers. The Kennebec then runs past the shipbuilding center of Bath, then to the Gulf of Maine in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the open, rapidless waters of the Southern Kennebec, Ocean tides and saltwater fish species such as the endangered Atlantic Sturgeon often affect the river's ecology as far north as Waterville, a small city located over 35 miles inland. Tributaries of the Kennebec include the Carrabassett River, Sandy River, and Sebasticook River.
Segments of the East Coast Greenway run along the Kennebec.