Plum Island Beach is located in Newbury, about 1.2 miles south of Newburyport Harbor and about 49 miles north of Boston. The beach is a popular summer recreational area located immediately north of the Plum Island Turnpike.

The project widened an 800-foot-long section of beach by the direct placement of sand, strengthened the dune with sand replenishment, and stabilized the embankment. Plum Island Beach was built under Section 103 of the Corps’ Continuing Authorities Program. It was completed in April 1973 at a cost of $224,000.