Rangeley Dam (Rangeley Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Rangeley
NID ID: ME00029
Longitude: -70.7688
Latitude: 44.96667
County: FRANKLIN
River: RANGELEY
State: ME
Nearest City: RANGELEY
Distance: 3 miles
Owner Name: MAINE HYDRO - NEXTERA ENERGY
Owner Type: Public Utility
Private Dam? No
Core: Concrete (Type)
Foundation: R
Purposes: Flood Control
Year Completed: 1836
Year Modified/Mod Type: 1985
Dam Length: 280 feet
Dam Height: 12 feet
Structural Height: 17 feet
Hydraulic Height: 10 feet
Maximum Storage: 39194 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 30744 acre-feet
Surface Area: 6000 acres
Drainage Area: 99 square miles
Hazard Potential: Low
Emergency Action Plan? Not Required By Submitting Agency
Inspection Frequency: 6
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: MEMA
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 75 feet
Outlet Gates: Slide, 3
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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