Lower Little River is a concrete dam located in Waldo County, Maine, built in 1943. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 36 ft36 ft tall and 126 ft long, taller than 82% 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 Lower Little River
The primary purpose of Lower Little River is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Belfast Water District (public utility). It impounds the Little River.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 126 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 39 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 615 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1943, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 05/05/2022.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Waldo |
| River/Stream | Little River |
| Coordinates | 44.39472, -68.98972 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 126 ft |
| Year Completed | 1943 (83 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 615 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 615 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 370 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 39 acres |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Belfast Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/05/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00288 |
| Federal ID | ME00288 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |