South Portland’s coastal location is one of the defining characteristics of this city, with deep historical, cultural and economic ties to the waterfront. The mix of commercial, industrial, cultural, and recreational activity enriches the city directly and indirectly.

As sea levels and storm surge increase with climate change, the waterfront will be at the forefront of increasing inundation, interrupted operations, and property damage — putting our community increasingly at risk.

As we face this future, South Portland has made distinct, bold and achievable commitments to climate action. In holding to these commitments, South Portland will chart a collaborative course to a carbon-neutral future. However, this course is about more than climate action and clean energy. It is also about improving public health, building a diverse economy and ensuring the vitality of our coastal ecosystems.

South Portland is taking a proactive approach to planning for the local effects of global climate change- including rising sea levels, more intense storms, alongside warmer air and water temperatures. This can only be done by tackling climate change together, as a community, and building collective awareness of future risks and hazards; enter a new High Water Marks initiative.

On Wednesday, May 26, city staff unveiled three High Water Mark signs located along the Greenbelt in Mill Creek, Bug Light Park and Willard Beach. The signs show historic high-water levels during the Blizzard of 1978 and then prompt community members to look ahead by marking where flood levels for a historic storm, like the Blizzard of 1978, could be in 2050 without significant climate action.

This collaborative initiative among federal, state and local partners will help community members visualize future high-water levels. The new High Water Marks raise awareness of local impacts from global climate change at some of the city’s most vulnerable and beloved waterfront locations. This initiative is one of many actions, tools, and resources identified in One Climate Future, the city’s joint climate action and adaptation plan with the city of Portland, to draw attention to sea level rise and local flood risk.

The High Water Mark signs not only provide a stunning visual representation of future water levels, but also incorporate the voices of future generations through accompanying audio recordings created by South Portland High School students. The recordings explain the science behind coastal flooding, prompt listeners to consider local impacts from higher seas and stronger storms, and identify several ways for community members to take action. Recordings are available on the South Portland Community Television’s Vimeo page for streaming (vimeo.com/spctv) or by scanning the QR code located on each sign.

The High Water Mark installations were made possible through the Maine Silver Jackets. The Maine Silver Jackets High Water Mark Initiative was developed by FEMA in coordination with USACE, USGS, NOAA, NASA and many other federal and state agencies across the United States.

Our Sustainable City is a recurring column in the Sentry intended to provide residents with news and information about sustainability initiatives in South Portland. The Sustainability Office is located at 496 Ocean St. in the former Hamlin School building. Follow the Sustainability Office on Instagram and Facebook @soposustainability. Lucy Perkins is sustainability program coordinator for South Portland.

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