Maine Hydro Lowers Reservoir for Quick Gate Repair Job
Published Date: 5/29/2025
Notice
Summary
Hydro Kennebec, LLC wants to lower their reservoir by 3 feet temporarily to fix a spillway gate, starting right away and ending by December 31, 2025. This change affects people near the Kennebec River in Maine but won’t harm the environment if done carefully. The government reviewed the plan and says it’s safe with some protective steps.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Reservoir lowered 3 feet for spillway repair
If you live near the Kennebec River in Kennebec or Somerset counties, Maine, Hydro Kennebec will temporarily lower the reservoir by 3 feet by using 3-foot flashboards (instead of the normal 6-foot flashboards) to set the reservoir at elevation 78 feet (USGS datum). The work starts immediately and will continue until the spillway gate is repaired, but no later than December 31, 2025. The FERC Environmental Assessment says that, with appropriate protective measures, this temporary change would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
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