Caribou

Aroostook River· Aroostook, Maine· Built 1889· Timber Crib· 24 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Caribou is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1889 and is 137 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 81.9% in ME)
Dam Length502 ft
Dam TypeTimber Crib
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Surface Area162 acres
Drainage Area1,943 sq mi
Max Discharge63,000 cfs
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)
NID IDME00227

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 25, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

InClime, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Caribou?

Caribou 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 Caribou?

Caribou is owned by InClime, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Caribou built?

Caribou was completed in 1889, making it 137 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 Caribou?

Caribou serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Caribou?

Caribou has a dam height of 24 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 Caribou last inspected?

Caribou was last inspected on September 25, 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.