Presumpscot Falls is a low cascade on the Presumpscot River in Cumberland County, Maine, on the line between Portland and Falmouth. Smelt Hill Dam held it back until the dam was removed in 2002, and trails on both banks now lead to it.
The falls
The drop is a pronounced rapid or shallow cascade falling about 5 feet in a single step. The river here is influenced by the tide.
Getting there
On the Portland bank, the falls lie in the 48-acre Presumpscot River Preserve, protected in 2001 and maintained by Portland Trails. The preserve has trailheads on Gray Road, Hope Avenue and Overset Road. From Overset Road, the trail drops to the river trail; turn right and follow it downstream to the falls. Visitors are asked to park elsewhere when the Overset lot is busy. The walk is about 0.7 mile one way from Overset Road or Hope Avenue and is rated easy.
On the Falmouth bank, Presumpscot Falls Park has limited paved parking on Allen Avenue Extension and a primitive river trail that ends just past the site of the old dam. Private property begins beyond the marked boundary. Paddlers can also launch here and reach the base of the falls.
On site
The preserve's trails cross uneven ground with a few short, steep pitches, roots, boardwalks and bridges. Dogs must be leashed or under voice control. Strong river and tidal currents have killed people here, including experienced swimmers, and endanger pets; stay out of the water.
History and name
Flooding in 1996 damaged Smelt Hill Dam, the first barrier on the river, beyond repair. The Coastal Conservation Association bought it from Central Maine Power, and the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Marine Resources removed it in November 2002. A dam first stood at the falls in 1734, and alewives and shad now swim upstream past the site to Highland Lake.
Nearby
Saccarappa Falls, upstream on the same river, is about 5.6 miles away, and Mallison Falls about 7.4 miles. On the Royal River, Bakers Falls and Four Falls are each about 7.2 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.