Canada Falls Lake

West Branch Penobscot River· Somerset, Maine· Built 1921· Concrete· 50 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Canada Falls Lake is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1921 and is 105 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 Length765 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage21.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage21.7K acre-ft
Surface Area2,521 acres
Drainage Area164 sq mi
Max Discharge10,060 cfs
Year Completed1921 (105 years old)
NID IDME00215

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: July 19, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Canada Falls Lake?

Canada Falls Lake 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 Canada Falls Lake?

Canada Falls Lake is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Canada Falls Lake built?

Canada Falls Lake was completed in 1921, making it 105 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 Canada Falls Lake?

Canada Falls Lake serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Navigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, 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 Canada Falls Lake?

Canada Falls Lake 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 Canada Falls Lake last inspected?

Canada Falls Lake was last inspected on July 19, 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.