Dead River

Dead· Androscoggin, Maine· Built 1900· Concrete· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction State Government

Key Takeaway

Dead River is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 68.3% in ME)
Dam Length150 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage120 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area4,058 acres
Drainage Area86 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDME00433

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

Department of Agriculture/State of Maine

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dead River?

Dead River 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 Dead River?

Dead River is owned by Department of Agriculture/State of Maine (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dead River built?

Dead River was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Dead River?

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

How tall is Dead River?

Dead River has a dam height of 18 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.