Wright-Pierce’s calendar series showcases the projects featured in our yearly calendar. At the halfway point of the year, we take a look at a project for downtown flood protection and parking updates in Damariscotta, Maine.
Project Background
The Town of Damariscotta’s population sits at just over two thousand. As a community with thriving tourism, particularly in the downtown National Historic District, the population can reach over fifteen thousand during peak months. Much of this district is located within a FEMA Flood Zone and was at risk of increased flooding from rising sea levels.
Project Team Services
Wright-Pierce, led by Project Manager Jan Wiegman, provided design, construction, and administrative support for improvements to flood resiliency and parking in Damariscotta’s downtown. To mitigate increased flooding due to more frequent storms and rising sea levels, a new storm water storage system was installed beneath the reconstructed public parking lot to retain stormwater from a portion of the downtown district during high tide events that would then drain through one way valves at low tide. As part of the project, Wright-Pierce advised on the selection and procurement of a deployable flood wall to offer further protection to the downtown area during future flood events.
The drainage system was installed under the downtown public parking lot, providing the opportunity to make improvements to the existing lot. The lot was reconstructed with the new stormwater infrastructure as well as guardrails and an efficient parking layout. Wright-Pierce coordinated closely with local neighbors and businesses to ensure work and recreation was not disrupted during project construction.
In addition to construction phase services, including coordination with the on-site resident project representative, Wright-Pierce provided office support and administrative duties to manage construction documentation. This included contractor submittals, requests for information, as well as attending weekly progress meetings.
About the Photo
Project Engineer Thomas Neal captured the photo of stormwater infrastructure being installed. When asked about the importance of the project, Thomas said, “This photo provides a great example of the hidden, but impactful nature of many Civil infrastructure projects. The photo shows a cross-section view of a stormwater detention chamber system during its installation below the parking lot. Beyond the new pavement, and fresh striping, the project improvements are largely out of sight to the public. Although hidden, the drainage improvements help protect the parking lot and its adjacent local businesses from flooding during heavy rain events providing a worthwhile benefit to community members and seasonal visitors alike.”
Project Impact
The implementation of additional flood protection allows the areas continued safety not only for visitors to the Town but also to those who call Damariscotta home year-round. As storms continue to intensify and sea-level rise is projected to increase, it is vital to be prepared for the disruptions flooding can cause. The protections will preserve the Town’s rich history and allow it to continue to be a must visit destination.
Contact us if you’d like a copy of Wright-Pierce’s 2026 wall calendar or to learn more about the project and how we can provide similar services to your community.