Saco River Dredging Project Begins

Sand from the river is being used to reinforce Camp Ellis Beach

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A two-week dredging project has started in the Saco River, with sand being pumped onto Camp Ellis Beach in Saco, Maine. The $600,000 project is being funded by a combination of FEMA, York County Emergency Management Agency, and the City of Saco, and will provide 1,200 cubic yards of beach replenishment.

Why it matters

The dredging project aims to help protect the Camp Ellis Beach area, which has experienced significant erosion over the years. Reinforcing the beach with sand from the Saco River is a proactive measure to mitigate the effects of coastal storms and rising sea levels.

The details

An Ellicott dredging machine owned by York County is being used to extract sand from the Saco River. The sand is then transported through a pipeline that runs from the Camp Ellis pier, down Eastern Avenue, and onto the beach. The project is being conducted by Michels Construction under a contract with the county. In addition to the 1,200 cubic yards of beach replenishment, the City of Saco is also funding an additional 6,000 cubic yards of beach nourishment.

  • The dredging project started this week and is expected to last for two weeks.

The players

York County

The county that owns the dredging machine being used for the project and is contributing 15% of the funding.

Michels Construction

The construction company contracted to conduct the dredging project.

City of Saco

The local municipality contributing 10% of the funding for the 1,200 cubic yards of beach replenishment and an additional $300,000 for 6,000 cubic yards of beach nourishment.

FEMA

The federal agency covering 75% of the $600,000 project cost.

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What’s next

The dredging project is expected to be completed within the next two weeks, after which the beach replenishment and nourishment work will be finished.

The takeaway

This dredging project is a collaborative effort between local, county, and federal agencies to protect the Camp Ellis Beach area from the impacts of coastal erosion, demonstrating the importance of proactive measures to address the challenges posed by climate change and rising sea levels.