Rocky Gorge Upper
Rocky Gorge Upper is a concrete dam located in York County, Maine, built in 1900. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Rocky Gorge Upper
The primary purpose of Rocky Gorge Upper 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 Rocky Gorge Corporation (private). It impounds the Great Works River near South Berwick.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 140 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 43 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 141 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 85 square miles. Completed in 1900, 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 07/30/2019.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | York |
| Nearest City | South Berwick |
| River/Stream | Great Works River |
| Coordinates | 43.21900, -70.79690 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 140 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 141 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 141 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 141 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 43 acres |
| Drainage Area | 85 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Rocky Gorge Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/30/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME00391 |
| Federal ID | ME00391 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |