Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel
Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel is a timber crib dam located in Oxford County, Maine, built in 1860. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel
The primary purpose of Upper Kezar Falls - Main Channel 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 Kezar Falls Hydro, Llc (public utility). It impounds the Ossipee River near Kezar Falls.
The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 270 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 416 square miles. Completed in 1860, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 06/28/2018.
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Location
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Nearest City | Kezar Falls |
| River/Stream | Ossipee River |
| Coordinates | 43.80660, -70.89040 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Timber Crib |
| NID Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Length | 270 ft |
| Year Completed | 1860 (166 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 416 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Kezar Falls Hydro, LLC |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/28/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME83032 |
| Federal ID | ME00045S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |