Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse)

Kennebec River· Kennebec, Maine· Built 1989· Masonry· 28 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1989 and is 37 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 28 ft (taller than 86.9% in ME)
Dam Length104 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage3.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.9K acre-ft
Surface Area250 acres
Drainage Area4,270 sq mi
Max Discharge185,850 cfs
Year Completed1989 (37 years old)
NID IDME83054

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: June 23, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Not Listed

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse)?

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) 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 Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse)?

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) is owned by information not available (Not Listed). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) built?

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) was completed in 1989, making it 37 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 Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse)?

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse)?

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) has a dam height of 28 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 Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) last inspected?

Hydro-Kennebec (Old Canal Gatehouse) was last inspected on June 23, 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.