Welcome to Casco Bay Estuary Partnership

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"King Tide"

Friday, October 28th was the highest predicted astronomical high tide of the year in Portland. The National Estuary Program had a call for photos of this event to raise awareness about sea level rise and what this "king tide" means in our coastal communities.

Above is a photo taken in the Back Cove neighborhood in Portland showing extensive street flooding from seawater backing up through the street drains.

Learn about Casco Bay Estuary Partnership's efforts to address Sea Level Rise

Coastal Flooding and Erosion Forecast for Portland, ME

See more Casco Bay "King Tide" photos

Welcome!

Casco Bay is an estuary--where rivers meet the sea. This nationally significant embayment has been recognized for its richness and diversity of marine life and is home to both endangered and commercially important species.

The Casco Bay watershed comprises 986 square miles, stretching from the mountains near Bethel to the coastal waters of Phippsburg and Cape Elizabeth. Home to nearly 20 percent of Maine's population, the watershed contains 42 municipalities, including some of the state's largest and fastest growing towns.

The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP), one of 28 National Estuary Programs nationwide, is a collaborative effort of people and organizations interested in protecting and restoring the Bay. Our partnership includes local, state and federal government organizations, non-profits, local businesses, citizens, universities and more.

A healthy Casco Bay and watershed support a rich ecosystem and contribute to the local economy and quality of life in our communities through recreation, scenic beauty, waterfront jobs, tourism, commercial harvest, and more. The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership works to preserve the ecological integrity of Casco Bay and to ensure compatible human uses of the Bay's resources, through public stewardship and effective management.