The Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program collects beach sand erosion and accretion data using a simple profile measurement method every month. Dedicated volunteers perform the beach measurements and submit the data to the Maine Geological Survey for analysis. The Southern Maine Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program is a partnership with University of Maine Cooperative Extension - Maine Sea Grant.

The program is a unique collaboration among local volunteers, participating municipalities, and scientists, resulting in over 20 years of critical data on the status of one of Maine’s most vital and valuable natural resources. Read more about the program.

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Volunteer Data Entry

Current program volunteers should use one of the following datasheets to enter profile data. Using one of the Excel sheets is recommended but if you don't have the Microsoft Excel software use the fillable PDF form. Instructions for using the datasheets and the submission procedures are linked below for each file type. It is a good idea to download the forms from the links below each month you enter data. This will guarantee that you always get the most recent version of the datasheet files.

• Maine Beach Profiling Datasheet:

Excel with macros (version 1.4[xlsm])	Instructions
Excel (version 1.2[xlsx])	Instructions
PDF Form (version 1.0)	Instructions

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Beach Profile Graph

If you would like to explore the data collected by the Maine Beach Profiling volunteers, you can use the graphing and data table resources below.

• Beach Profile Graphing Instructions
• How to Interpret a Beach Profile Graph

Select reference point:

Stake NAVD88

Select profile line:

Select one or more dates to graph:

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Download Data

Maine Beach Profiling Data may also be downloaded directly from the Maine Geological Survey Open Data Portal. Two downloads are provided. For general purpose use, all approved data is provided in the Beach Profiling Data Export Table. To create profile graphs using the data, the Beach Profiling Graph Data Table. Both datasets are updated as soon as data from the beach profile teams is uploaded and approved by the Beach Profiling Volunteer Coordinator.

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If you have any questions or problems using the tools on the site please contact:

Beach Profiling Volunteer Coordinator - Brian Determan
bpvolcoord@wellsnerr.org

If you have any technical problems with the site please contact:

Christian Halsted
Director, Earth Resources Information
Maine Geological Survey
christian.h.halsted@maine.gov