Ellsworth Power House and Dam

The Ellsworth Power House and Dam spans the Union River with concrete buttresses supporting the structure between natural bluffs approximately 100 feet high. The facility harnesses flowing water to generate electricity and creates an impoundment lake as part of its operation.

This power plant was built in 1907 and ranked among Maine's first peaking power facilities of that era. The structure underwent significant safety upgrades decades later to meet modern engineering standards.

The power station building shows Renaissance Revival style with rounded arch windows and Palladian design elements under a red tile roof. These architectural details reflect the craftsmanship and building traditions of the early 1900s.

The site sits directly on the Union River with access points from nearby areas. Visiting works best during drier seasons when water levels are more stable and pathways around the dam are more accessible.

The dam's internal design was changed from a hollow system to solid concrete fill during the 1990s restructuring. This major modification allowed the facility to meet safety requirements that had become stricter over time.