Automatic is a concrete dam located in Kennebec County, Maine, built in 1924. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 33 ft33 ft tall and 81 ft long, taller than 76% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Automatic
The primary purpose of Automatic 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 Essex Hydro Associates, LLC (private). It impounds the Messalonskee Stream near Waterville.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 81 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 68 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 205 square miles. Completed in 1924, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/29/2022.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Kennebec |
| Nearest City | Waterville |
| River/Stream | Messalonskee Stream |
| Coordinates | 44.54750, -69.64320 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 81 ft |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 68 acres |
| Drainage Area | 205 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,910 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Essex Hydro Associates, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/29/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00103 |
| Federal ID | ME00103 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |