WATER REPORTER MENU
Key Water Reporter Issues
Erosion
From collapsing banks to crumbling trails, erosion leaves visible marks on the landscape. Water Reporters help us track where wind, waves, and runoff are wearing away the shoreline and threatening coastal habitats.
Examples of Erosion
Tap or click any image to open the full gallery.
How & When to Track Erosion
Most erosion happens during large storm events when there is a lot of rain, waves, or storm surge during a king high tide. Therefore, pay attention to when a storm is forecast and take a photo of vulnerable areas before the storm. After the storm is over, take a photo from the exact same spot. Upload both photos to Water Reporter.
Vulnerable areas:
- Steep banks, especially those without a lot of vegetation or vegetation that is already leaning over
- Sandy areas
- Waterfront infrastructure (docks and floats)
How to Help
Living shorelines have been hailed as an effective nature-based solution to reducing erosion. These protected and stabilized shorelines are made of natural materials such as plants, sand, and rocks. Check out this Story Map about Living Shorelines from Casco Bay Estuary Partnership to see a few test sites around the Bay and learn how you might adopt these methods for your waterfront property.
Learn More About Erosion
Watch: Coffee with the Casco Baykeeper and Island Institute to learn about Maine’s Climate Action Plan.