Jasper Beach

Jasper Beach is located in Howard Cove, Machiasport, just west of Machias Bay (Figure 1). It is a dominantly gravel beach, about 800 m long, and oriented East-West (Timson, 1981). Bedrock frames Howard Cove, making Jasper a pocket beach. It is also a barrier spit that originates at an eroding bluff of glacial material on the west and terminates at a tidal inlet on the east. In addition to the bluff, the beach is backed by fresh and saltwater lagoons and a salt marsh (Figure 2). Jasper Beach is operated as a Town Park by Machiasport and is located on Rt. 92, beneath the abandoned Distant Early Warning Station radar facility on Howard Mountain. Limited parking space is provided.