West Buxton
West Buxton is a concrete dam located in York County, Maine, built in 1907. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About West Buxton
The primary purpose of West Buxton is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Brookfield Renewable Power Llc Nyro (private). It impounds the Saco River near Buxton.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 643 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 131 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,230 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,572 square miles. Completed in 1907, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/26/2022.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | York |
| Nearest City | Buxton |
| River/Stream | Saco River |
| Coordinates | 43.66680, -70.60320 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 643 ft |
| Year Completed | 1907 (119 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,230 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,230 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,230 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 131 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,572 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Brookfield Renewable Power LLC NYRO |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/26/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00035 |
| Federal ID | ME00035 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |