1 Introduction 



Prototype 



Camp Ellis Beach is located along the southern shore of Saco Bay at Saco, 

 ME, approximately 25.7 km (16 miles^) south of Portland (Figure 1). Saco 

 Bay has a crescent- shaped shoreline and is about 18.1 km (7 miles) long with 

 Prouts Neck headland to the north and Fletchers Neck headland to the south 

 (Figure 2). The Saco River empties into Saco Bay south of Camp Ellis. 

 Camp Ellis Beach originates at the Saco River north breakwater and extends 

 northerly about 762 m (2,500 ft), where it intersects Ferry Beach. 



Camp EUis is a predominantly residential area, containing very densely 

 settled summer and year-round single-family homes. Most of the homes are 

 one-and-one-half-Story or two-story cottage-type houses, although some are 

 larger, permanent residences. The homes are predominantly of older construc- 

 tion; however, some have been refurbished and there is some new construction. 

 In general, the area is characterized by the density of the development and its 

 summer resort quality. In addition to the large number of homes, the Camp 

 Ellis area contains several restaurants, boating facilities, and a fire station. 



The Saco River entrance is fonned by a breakwater on the north and a jetty 

 on the south. A 2.4-m-deep (8-ft-deep~), 61-m-wide (200-ft-wide) entrance 

 channel extends from the ocean through the structures to the mouth of the 

 Saco River. The channel then narrows to 45.7 m (150 ft) in width and extends 

 upstream to the cities of Saco and Biddeford. The north breakwater is 

 2,030 m (6,660 ft) in length and varies in height. The shoreward 259 m 

 (850 ft) has an el of +5.2 m (+17 ft), the seaward 750 m (2,460 ft) an el of 

 + 1.7 m (+5.5 ft), and the remainder of the structure an el of -h4.5 m (+15 ft). 



Units of measurement in the text of this report are shown in SI (metric) units, followed by 



non-SI (British) units in parentheses. In addition, a table of factors for converting non-SI units 



of measurement used in plates, figures, photos, tabulations, and tables in the report to SI units is 



presented on page vi. 

 2 



All elevations (el) and depths cited herein are in meters (feet) referred to mean low water 



(inlw) datum. 



Chapter 1 Introduction 



