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More vital coastal storm-tide information needed to help guide storm response efforts following major storms is now available with the addition of Maine’s newest U.S. Geological Survey installed tide gauge.

More vital coastal storm-tide information needed to help guide storm response efforts following major storms is now available with the addition of Maine’s newest U.S. Geological Survey installed tide gauge.

The gauge is installed at the Town of Saco’s pier at Camp Ellis. Both public and private property in the area is subject to significant storm damage due to waves and wind.

Tide gage  at the Town of Saco (Maine) pier
Maine’s newest U.S. Geological Survey installed tide gauge, at the Town of Saco’s pier at Camp Ellis, Maine/USGS

“This tide gauge is one of 17 along the New England coast that is critical to the National Weather Service, emergency managers and other partners who conduct operations at sea, issue flood warnings, and initiate evacuation orders for communities,” said Nick Stasulis, a supervisory hydrologic technician  with the Maine Office of the USGS New England Water Science Center.

“The gauge will provide information that is not only useful for monitoring tide elevation and potential storm surge in real-time, but also the data needed to predict wave height in the area during passing storms,” said Stasulis.  

Camp Ellis was specifically targeted for the tide gauge in coordination with Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS), the National Weather Service, and state and local emergency managers.

"The new water level gauge in Saco bay will provide critical information for local emergency managers and provide key information for NERACOOS' efforts to improve forecasts of coastal flooding," said J. Ru Morrison, Executive Director, NERACOOS

Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the USGS produced a science plan to coordinate and guide future data collection and analysis to ensure support for recovery and restoration efforts (http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1390/). As part of this work, the USGS received supplemental funding to improve preparedness for future coastal storms. This tide gauge in Camp Ellis was installed using these supplemental funds and will supplement an existing network of tide gauges along the eastern coast of the United States. The long term operation and maintenance of the tide gauge is covered in an agreement with the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems.

Learn more about the newest tide gauge’s here.

For more than 125 years, the USGS has monitored flow in selected streams and rivers across the United States. The information is routinely used for water supply and management, monitoring floods and droughts, bridge and road design, determination of flood risk and for many recreational activities.

Access current flood and high flow conditions across the country by visiting the USGS WaterWatch website. Receive instant, customized updates about water conditions in your area via text message or email by signing up for USGS WaterAlert.

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