Where is the worst erosion in Maine?
Some of the worst erosion, on the order of 2-3 feet/year, is occurring at Camp Ellis Beach in Saco. Over 30 homes have been lost to the sea since 1908. The erosion in the area is caused by a lack of natural sediment to adjacent beaches due to the presence of the northern jetty of the Saco River (placed in 1869), wave focusing on Camp Ellis Beach due to offshore bathymetry, and reflected wave energy that directs wave energy from the jetty onto the Beach. See our slide show on Coastal Processes and Beach Erosion for more information on Saco Bay and Camp Ellis Beach.
