Upper Little Falls

Pennamaquan· Washington, Maine· Built 1950· Concrete· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Upper Little Falls is classified as significant hazard in Maine. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 74.1% in ME)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage5.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.6K acre-ft
Surface Area1,209 acres
Drainage Area40 sq mi
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDME00396

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 29, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MEMA

Ownership

IFW/State of Maine

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Little Falls?

Upper Little Falls is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Upper Little Falls?

Upper Little Falls is owned by IFW/State of Maine (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Little Falls built?

Upper Little Falls was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Upper Little Falls?

Upper Little Falls serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, 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 Upper Little Falls?

Upper Little Falls 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 Upper Little Falls last inspected?

Upper Little Falls was last inspected on October 29, 2019. 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.