Coastal Services Center

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Pacific Northwest

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The Pacific Northwest is vulnerable to earthquakes and associated inundation from tsunamis, as well as intense winter storms and erosion. Storms can produce significant stormwater runoff that carries high levels of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants into sensitive waterways of the Pacific Northwest. The ecological resources, particularly the threatened salmon populations, are highly susceptible to these contaminants.

Geographic Scope of the Project

The second project area covers portions of the Lower Columbia River, the Northwest Oregon coast (to Tillamook Bay), and the Southwest Washington coast (to Grays Harbor). Click the image to the right for a detailed view of the project extent.

Project Goals and Objectives

The program’s Pacific Northwest project, which began in 2003, is a compilation of tools that address the ecological sensitivity of resources to storm events. Products and services include new and improved data, information, forecast models, and training for coastal communities. CSP seeks to ensure the safety of this population and sustain the natural environment, which in turn will promote a healthy economy. As a result of the products and services developed for this project, local communities will be better able to predict and reduce the impacts of coastal storms, saving lives, property, and money.

Key Partners

Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon Health and Science University, Lower Columbia River Estuary Research Project, Oregon Department of Land and Conservation Development, Washington State Department of Ecology, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, and U.S. Geological Survey.

Products

The Pacific Northwest effort was completed in 2006 and brought together several projects that address specific hazards-related issues, such as improved observations and wave modeling, and ecological resilience studies. These projects have created improved tools, data, information, forecast models, and training for the coastal communities in the project study area. CSP also supported the acquisition and deployment of the Tillamook Buoy (46089) and continues to maintain it today.