Trafton Lake

Limestone Stream· Aroostook, Maine· Built 1969· Earth· 66 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Trafton Lake is classified as high hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 66 ft (taller than 98% in ME)
Dam Length1,050 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.8K acre-ft
Surface Area104 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDME00229

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: November 3, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

Limestone

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Trafton Lake?

Trafton Lake 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 Trafton Lake?

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

When was Trafton Lake built?

Trafton Lake was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Trafton Lake?

Trafton Lake serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, 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 Trafton Lake?

Trafton Lake has a dam height of 66 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 Trafton Lake last inspected?

Trafton Lake was last inspected on November 3, 2023. 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.