air photo showing erosion at Camp Ellis with 1908 and 1998 shorelines

Some of the worst erosion, on the order of 2-3 feet/year, is occurring at Camp Ellis Beach in Saco. 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.


Last updated on October 6, 2005