Bell Marsh
Bell Marsh is an earth dam located in York County, Maine, built in 1987. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bell Marsh
The primary purpose of Bell Marsh is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Kittery Water District (public utility). It impounds the Bell Marsh Reservoir near York.
The dam stands 62 feet tall and stretches 1,480 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 240 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1987, the structure is 39 years 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 06/12/2024.
At 62 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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 | York |
| Nearest City | York |
| River/Stream | Bell Marsh Reservoir |
| Coordinates | 43.19530, -70.72740 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 62 ft |
| Dam Height | 62 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,480 ft |
| Year Completed | 1987 (39 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 240 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Kittery Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ME96040 |
| Federal ID | ME96040 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |