Bar Mills

Saco River· York, Maine· Built 1956· Concrete· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Bar Mills is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 83.1% in ME)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage600 acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Surface Area263 acres
Drainage Area1,595 sq mi
Max Discharge16,320 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDME00034

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 19, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Brookfield Renewable Power LLC NYRO

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bar Mills?

Bar Mills is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bar Mills?

Bar Mills is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power LLC NYRO (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bar Mills built?

Bar Mills was completed in 1956, making it 70 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bar Mills?

Bar Mills serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bar Mills?

Bar Mills has a dam height of 25 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bar Mills last inspected?

Bar Mills was last inspected on September 19, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.