Saco Army Corps project set to begin soon

14:30:11In 2007, the federal government allocated money for a project to mitigate erosion caused by the Saco Jetty. This week, Camp Ellis residents are seeing the first signs that a project is underway.

The Saco Jetty stretches 6,600 feet into the Atlantic Ocean from the mouth of the Saco River. Originally built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1800s and later expanded, it was constructed to create a smooth shipping channel in the Saco River.

While it may have helped create a clearer route for ships in the river, the jetty also had some negative unintended consequences. By diverting wave energy and the flow of sand, the jetty has caused erosion at the Saco seaside community of Camp Ellis and down the coast of Saco, over time destroying homes, streets and other infrastructure.

In 2007, $27 million of federal money was allocated for an Army Corps project to mitigate erosion caused by the jetty. After discussions between the City of Saco and the Army Corps finally started making some headway, the local federal delegation advocated for more funds and in late 2023 the amount of funding was raised to $45 million.

After many years of anticipation, an Army Corps project to help mitigate erosion is scheduled to begin this month. The project will build a 750-foot spur jetty that will run counterclockwise from the main jetty and will span north from the side of the main jetty like an arm.

Camp Ellis resident and Vice-President of coastal advocacy group Save Our Shores Saco Bay David Plavin, has been eagerly awaiting the project. A few days ago, a work barge arrived by tugboat. Slabs of granite for the project have been transported by rail from Vermont to South Portland, and will be transported to offshore Saco by barge and tugboat. As of Thursday afternoon, the stones had not arrived in Saco.

Plavin is keeping his eyes on the bay for any progress and his ears open to any updates on the project. The work is supposed to take 15 months to complete, but he’s hoping for cooperative weather that could possibly help the project be completed sooner.

“We’re optimistic,” he said.

The work is being done by Mohawk Northeast, and Plavin said the representatives from the company have been great so far to work with.

A section of the Camp Ellis Pier has been set aside for Mohawk Northeast, for parking and a mobile office.

Harbor Master David Pendleton said the barges will be on the north side of the jetty while work is being conducted, and in the event of a storm can move to calmer waters on the south side of the jetty or in the river.

Pendleton said he’s been in contact with local mooring owners and have reminded them to have “really good situational awareness” while the work is being conducted.

“We don’t typically have tugboats and barges in that area,” he said.

Anglers who like to fish off the breakwater will still be able to fish, but will be limited as to how far offshore they can go. The breakwater will be fenced off at about 500 feet out while work is being conducted, said Pendleton.

For more information on Save our Shores Saco Bay, go to their website or check them out on Facebook.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.