Chase Mill

Chase Mill Stream· Washington, Maine· Built 1870· Concrete· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Chase Mill is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1870 and is 156 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 74.1% in ME)
Dam Length45 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage32.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage27.5K acre-ft
Surface Area5,250 acres
Drainage Area53 sq mi
Year Completed1870 (156 years old)
Year Modified1936
NID IDME00335

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

East Machias

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chase Mill?

Chase Mill 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 Chase Mill?

Chase Mill is owned by East Machias (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chase Mill built?

Chase Mill was completed in 1870, making it 156 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 Chase Mill?

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

How tall is Chase Mill?

Chase Mill has a dam height of 20 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.

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.