Keil Schmid
About Keil Schmid
My friends don’t really understand what I do. I usually say that I work on coastal issues using data collected by an aircraft with a laser that operates kinda like a depth sounder on a boat, but with light instead of sound. After the glassy stare goes away, I tell them that I work on problems related to sea level rise and its effects on beaches and wetlands. OK, now they kinda get it. I go on boring them by explaining that my background is in sediment transport, physical coastal processes, and coastal erosion and protection, and have worked for 20 years as a marine geologist, to which they comment, “Oh, you are a marine biologist. I always wanted to do that.” So, then I go with it and tell them I work for NOAA—you know, the “weather people”—“Cool, I like their website, is it going to rain tomorrow?” I hold out my hand, and if it gets wet I say, “yes.”
Recent Posts by Keil Schmid
Beach Volume Change Measurements from Lidar- How Close is Close?
I had an interesting call the other day with someone who was inquiring about high accuracy lidar data for looking at beach renourishment volume calculations.
Sail at Low Tide?
The tide is high out
on the bay
I guess we should hold out
on this day
Lidar collection is gonna have to wait
The shoreline has to be straight
What marshes look like can be worse
Much will be lost of course
Models and imagery makes it clear
It’s best to wait till tidal flats appear
Hydro-enforcing different water elevations
will leave you with some lingering reservations