Rumford Falls Upper Dam
Rumford Falls Upper Dam is a concrete dam located in Oxford County, Maine, built in 1918. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rumford Falls Upper Dam
The primary purpose of Rumford Falls Upper Dam 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 Rumford Falls Hydro Llc (private). It impounds the Androscoggin River near Rumford.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 524 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 419 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,069 square miles. Completed in 1918, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 07/21/2022.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Maine dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Nearest City | Rumford |
| River/Stream | Androscoggin River |
| Coordinates | 44.53801, -70.54344 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 524 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 419 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,069 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 75,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Rumford Falls Hydro LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00013 |
| Federal ID | ME00013 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |