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Project Status (as of June 2026)

The contract for the construction of the 750-foot-long Stone Spur Jetty is expected to be complete in August 2027. The contract was awarded to Mohawk Northeast, Inc. for $24,434,100.00. Initial beach nourishment will follow the construction of the stone spur jetty as will subsequent re-nourishments. The current schedule for beach nourishment is currently 2028 and is contingent upon environmental coordination and temporary work area easements.

Project Overview and Purpose

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is implementing a project under Section 111 of the River and Harbor Act of 1968 to mitigate persistent shore damage and erosion at Camp Ellis Beach in Saco, Maine that is, in part, caused by the existing north jetty that protects the entrance channel of the Saco River. The erosion from the north jetty and the complex dynamics of the Saco Bay island system, has historically caused significant damage to coastal infrastructure and property.
In 2023, USACE updated the project plan to allow for 100% federal expense and a total cost limit of $45 million, as established by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. The City of Saco confirmed its support for the project and will assume responsibility for ongoing operation and maintenance.

The Federally Implementable Plan

The recommended plan aims to mitigate for high wave energy that is in-part related to the existing north jetty. The overall federally implementable plan was structured to stay within the $45M cost allowance for the project and involves the following main components:
•  750-foot-long Stone Spur Jetty: Construction of a large stone spur jetty to alter wave action and reduce erosion.
•  Initial Beach Nourishment: Placement of approximately73,170 cubic yards of sand at Camp Ellis beach.
•  Future Nourishment: The plan includes provisions for future federal participation in periodic beach renourishment to maintain shoreline stability. As many nourishments as possible until the cost allowance limit has been reached.

Resources

Contact

For questions or comments on Section 111 Camp Ellis Beach Shore Damage Mitigation Project, please contact:

Jenifer Thalhauser
Senior Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District