Shore Infrastructure

More than 6 inches of rain fell on parts of Gouldsboro in less than two hours on the morning of June 9, 2021, washing out the culverts under the road between Prospect Harbor and Birch Harbor. Looking back in time, this was an unusual event. But it will be less unusual in the years to come. According to the 2020 Update of Maine’s Climate Future, annual precipitation in Maine has increased rapidly over the past two decades. Most of this increase is due to heavy, intense precipitation events.

For Gouldsboro, with its diverse terrain that ranges from steep ridges to large saltmarshes, larger, more frequent storms have the potential to overwhelm town infrastructure, much of which was built years ago for a different climate. This is especially true along the shore, where intense storms include strong winds. As sea level continues to rise, the combination of a fierce storm with lots of rain and strong winds at high tide can do significant damage. Gouldsboro’s Shore and Storm Project supports the town in identifying locations and infrastructure that are most at risk and planning action to reduce those risks.

Latest Posts

Addressing Change in Gouldsboro

A Sunday workshop at Peninsula School brought Gouldsboro residents together to talk about change. They considered impacts of sea level rise, severe storms, rising house prices, broadband, food insecurity, and the future of the old cannery. If you missed it, this will catch you up.

Planning for Gouldsboro’s Future

Gouldsboro invites all residents to an informal planning workshop at Peninsula School in Prospect Harbor on Sunday, May 21, 2023. The workshop is the first step toward using the “Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan” report that the Town received from FB Environmental last fall. The workshop will engage participants in considering and prioritizing the actions…

Meet Ada Fisher

We are delighted to announce that Ada Fisher has joined the Gouldsboro shore team as an intern. A junior at Sumner Memorial High School, Ada is considering career options that will keep her connected to the shore and ocean. Ada will contribute to all parts of the Gouldsboro Shore program.