Location Geological History Level of Development Additional Facts Profile Data Pictures References

Location

The northeast-southwest trending Higgins Beach is an 850m long spit (Nelson, 1977), located at the mouth of the Spurwink River Estuary in Cumberland County.  To the southwest, bedrock borders Higgins Beach, while the Spurwink River tidal inlet limits the extent of the beach at its northeastern end.  An extensive intertidal sand flat fronts the area.  This tidal flat acts as both the “low-tide terrace” of the beach and the ebb-tidal delta of the Spurwink River. A salt marsh and tidal flat are found to the east, while bedrock uplands back the region.
 
 

Geological History

Higgins Beach most likely migrated into place as sea level rose from its low stand 10,700 years ago.  From historical photos, it appears the shoreline retreated 40-50m between 1851-1953 (Nelson, 1977).  Sand is migrating to the east as the beach continues to retreat, resulting in the filling of the Spurwink Estuary.
 
 

Development Status

Higgins Beach is densely developed with many types of seawalls protecting the roads and houses. The development limits the extent of the “dry beach” at high tide.  The 1978 storm resulted in extensive property damage (Kelley et al, 1989a).  Because of the damage, and in an effort to maintain the quality of the area, the local community is actively working to create a plan to manage the beach (Higgins Beach Committee, 1998).  Sand dunes on the eastern end are the only remaining undeveloped areas of the beach.
 
 

Additional Facts

Higgins Beach attracts many people interested in surfing due to its reputation of having some of the consistently biggest waves in the region.  A shipwreck exposed on the ebb-tidal delta of the Spurwink River adds to the area’s history.
 
 

Topographic Profiles
 
 

Profile 1 Monthly Data Greatest Change Profile 2 Monthly Data Greatest Change Profile 3 Monthly Data Greatest Change

 
 
 
 

Pictures
 
 
 

References

Dickson, S.M., in press, Beach and Dune Geology, Higgins Beach, Scarborough Maine, Maine Geological Survey Open-File Report (Photo 15-10)

Higgins Beach Public Improvements Ad-Hoc Committee, 1998, Higgins Beach Management Plan, 107 p.

Kelley, J.T., Kelley, A.R. and Pilkey, O.H., sr., 1989, Living with the Coast of Maine, Duke University Press, Durham, NC, 174 p.

Nelson, B.W., 1979, Shoreline changes and Physiography of Maine's Sandy Coastal Beaches (Unpublished M.S. thesis):  University of Maine, 303 p.