Brassua

Moose River· Somerset, Maine· Built 1927· Concrete· 50 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Brassua is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 50 ft (taller than 96.2% in ME)
Dam Length1,768 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage206.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage206.0K acre-ft
Surface Area9,700 acres
Drainage Area722 sq mi
Max Discharge74,940 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
NID IDME00133

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 20, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Brookfield White Pine LLC & Madison Paper & Merimil Ltd. & Brassua Hydro

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brassua?

Brassua is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Brassua?

Brassua is owned by Brookfield White Pine LLC & Madison Paper & Merimil Ltd. & Brassua Hydro (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brassua built?

Brassua was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Brassua?

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

How tall is Brassua?

Brassua has a dam height of 50 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 Brassua last inspected?

Brassua was last inspected on September 20, 2022. 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.