Picturing Rising Tides is back! The New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup invites community members to photograph extreme high tides in the New Hampshire Coastal Watershed. New Hampshire’s sea level is rising. This annual photo contest aims to raise awareness about the changes and impacts to the many places we value. Photos of these extra high tides give us a glimpse of what daily water levels could be like in the future.
KEY DATES
SUBMISSION PERIOD
Starts: November 5, 2025 @ 12:00 am ET
Ends: November 8, 2025 @ 11:59 pm ET
Check your local tide chart for high tide times.
PUBLIC VOTING
Starts: November 9, 2025 @ 12:00 am ET
Ends: November 16, 2025 @ 11:59 pm ET
VOTING RESULTS
On or before: December 3, 2025
WHAT TO ENTER
- We’re looking for photos featuring high water! This could show flooding, flood impacts, flood safety, flood mitigation, flood proofing, erosion, local landmarks, buildings, bridges, culverts, piers, seawalls, roadways, beaches, people, wildlife, salt marsh, rivers, and estuarine environments.
- You may submit up to 4 photos.
- Eligible photos must be taken during the submission period or up to year before the submission period (since November 9, 2024).
- All photos must be taken along New Hampshire’s shoreline. This includes Dover, Durham, Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Madbury, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rollinsford, Rye, Seabrook, and Stratham. We suggest taking photos during high tide (tide tables are on p. 3 in the Official Rules). For inspiration on where to take photos, see the Picturing Rising Tides Map.
- If your photo includes recognizable people, you must obtain explicit permission from the people in the photo to submit. Entries for which appropriate consent has not been provided will be disqualified.
- BE SAFE. Do not put yourself or others in harm’s way to capture a photo. Be sure to check tide information and water conditions for the locations you are visiting. Avoid driving through flooded areas and respect all road closures. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
VOTING AND RECOGNITION
- Public voting will be open from November 9-16, 2025.
- Vote for one or more photos.
- The top 10 entries will be displayed at local events, libraries, and community spaces. These displays will promote critical dialogue about rising sea levels.
SITE VISIT
Life on the Edge of the Tide: Stories of the Salt Marsh Sparrow
When: 4 – 5pm, Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Where: Chapmans Landing, 85 College Rd, Stratham, NH 03885
Who: Anyone interested in birds, birdwatching, and the impacts of rising tides on our coastal habitats.
Join us to explore the hidden wonders of the Squamscott River and the beautiful salt marsh at Chapman’s Landing in Stratham. Hear from a local researcher who studies the ecology, behavior, and genetics of the imperiled Salt Marsh Sparrow—a secretive songbird whose life is intimately tied to the tides. During the visit, you’ll have time to walk around, photograph this unique landscape, and visit the nearby Great Bay Wildlife Garden.
During this site visit, you’ll hear from:
- Talia Kuras, UNH PhD student studying the ecology, behavior and genetics of the Salt Marsh Sparrow in NH in partnership with the Kovach lab at UNH and the Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program.
- Lynn Vaccaro, Training and Engagement coordinator with Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, who is working to enhance the resilience of this and other marshes in NH.
For any questions, email nhcoastaladaptation@gmail.com