Mars Hill

Prestile Stream· Aroostook, Maine· Built 1900· Concrete· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Other Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Mars Hill is classified as low hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 45.1% in ME)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage160 acre-ft
Normal Storage120 acre-ft
Surface Area27 acres
Drainage Area75 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
Year Modified1985
NID IDME00225

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 28, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

Mars Hill

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Robinson

Aroostook, ME

Low Hazard 18 ft

Youngs Lake

Aroostook, ME

Low Hazard 9 ft

Mccrum's Pond

Aroostook, ME

Significant Hazard 22 ft

Smith Farm

Aroostook, ME

Significant Hazard 35 ft

Echo Lake

Aroostook, ME

Low Hazard 17 ft

Burntland

Aroostook, ME

Low Hazard 30 ft

Arnold Brook

Aroostook, ME

Significant Hazard 21 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mars Hill?

Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill?

Mars Hill is owned by Mars Hill (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mars Hill built?

Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill?

Mars Hill serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Other, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mars Hill?

Mars Hill has a dam height of 14 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 Mars Hill last inspected?

Mars Hill was last inspected on August 28, 2013. 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.