Locke Mills
Locke Mills is a concrete dam located in Oxford County, Maine, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Locke Mills
The primary purpose of Locke Mills 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 Greenwood (local government). It impounds the Alder.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 621 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 10/11/2021.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| River/Stream | Alder |
| Coordinates | 44.40006, -70.70367 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,415 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 621 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Greenwood |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/11/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00316 |
| Federal ID | ME00316 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |