Churchill

Allagash River· Piscataquis, Maine· Built 1968· Concrete· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Churchill is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 74.1% in ME)
Dam Length470 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage99.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage78.0K acre-ft
Surface Area10,016 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDME00237

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: August 5, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

BPL, DOC/State of Maine (Allagash Wilderness Waterway)

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Churchill?

Churchill 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 Churchill?

Churchill is owned by BPL, DOC/State of Maine (Allagash Wilderness Waterway) (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Churchill built?

Churchill was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Churchill?

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

How tall is Churchill?

Churchill 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.

When was Churchill last inspected?

Churchill was last inspected on August 5, 2014. 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.