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Cumberland

About

The Town of Cumberland has a shorter coastline compared with neighboring municipalities and lacks inlets and rivers, limiting its exposure to flooding risk; many of its roads and structures are set back from an even coastal elevation. Despite this, vulnerabilities including unstable bluffs, overtopped coastal barriers, and at-risk culverts do exist.

Priorities

Key coastal risks in Cumberland include:

  • Coastal habitats such as tidal marshes and eel grass

  • Coastal erosion from shoreline armoring and the dunes at Broad Cove overtopping

  • Inadequately sized inland culverts

Due to the narrow and steep coastline, the town has a lower risk to flooding and sea level rise. The town should focus on protecting their coastal bluffs from erosion. This will protect surrounding properties and maintain healthy water quality for marine habitats.

Vulnerable Sites




The profile presents technical data on coastal hazards and community resources including habitat, infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions, to visualize vulnerabilities and impacts. These profiles helped to identify the priorities and vulnerable sites listed above and are intended to help guide municipal staff in future planning.


View the Cumberland Story Map here 

Data Profile

Adaptation Strategies

How can the town address these vulnerable areas? There is a range of adaptation strategies the town can use to build coastal resilience—from nature-based solutions to policy. Every site is different and may require a mix of strategies.

  • Learn about potential different strategies on the Adaptation Strategies page

  • Visit the Renderings page to see conceptual drawings for how these strategies may look in practice

  • Explore projects around the region and how towns are applying different adaptation strategies

Projects

Resources

Click on each link to be directed to the town resource:

​This project is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from Gulf of Maine Research Institute, The Builders Initiative, and Jane’s Trust Foundation.

The views and conclusions contained on this website are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

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