Digital Coast

Build It

Experienced GIS users and data analysts may want to access data or learn how to create their own inundation maps. In this section, users will find guidance and resources for obtaining and preparing data, and generating these custom maps.

Trainings

• Coastal Inundation Mapping – Understand different types of coastal inundation and associated issues by attending this course, which also provides methods for mapping coastal inundation and assessing associated risks.
• CanVis – Learn how to create visualizations using this software’s tools and functions, along with a user’s own specific imagery and photos.
• Introduction to Lidar – This self-paced, online training introduces several fundamental concepts of lidar and demonstrates how high-accuracy lidar-derived elevation data support natural resource and emergency management applications in the coastal zone. The material provides geospatial analysts with the information needed to understand the characteristics of lidar that have direct impacts on mapping and spatial analysis projects. A demonstration shows how lidar data can be downloaded from NOAA’s Digital Coast.
• Understanding Map Projections, Datums, and Coordinate Systems – This self-paced, online training teaches the fundamental concepts of map projections, datums, and coordinate systems. The course format includes detailed information on how these concepts are applied to different regions of the Pacific Islands. Demonstrations of how to work with projections, datums, and coordinate systems using ESRI’s ArcGIS are also provided.

Data

Build a topographic/bathymetric elevation model using elevation data.

• Elevation Data – Visit the Digital Coast Data page to obtain elevation data, such as lidar, IfSAR, and other topographic and bathymetric data, which is needed to create inundation maps.
• Topographic and Bathymetric Data Inventory – Before creating a coastal inundation map, it will be helpful to see if topographic and bathymetric data are available for your study area. Visit this inventory viewer to see which data are available.

Maps

• Story Maps ‒ Import data, photos, and multimedia via Web services into configurable templates to help convey messages to a wide range of audiences in a more understandable way. These examples were built with Esri using Esri’s ArcGIS Online technology and modifications to existing story map templates.

Local Examples

• Lower Sheboygan River Habitat Restoration ‒ The Sheboygan River, restoration project in Wisconsin was designed to restore habitat and the health of the river. A secondary benefit is stormwater absorption.
• Protecting Wetland Benefits ‒ View wetlands within the Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, floodplain that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits, while helping to reduce flooding that impacts surrounding communities.
• Land Use Scenarios in Brown County’s East River Flood Zone ‒ View this story map from Wisconsin to explore how protecting open spaces can help minimize future community losses from flooding.

Guidance

• Mapping Coastal Inundation Primer – View basic information on what to consider when creating an inundation map. This document offers tips and examples for aiding intermediate GIS users in creating inundation maps.
• Lidar Lessons Learned – Learn the five life lessons you need to know when collecting lidar.
• Mapping Inundation Uncertainty – Learn techniques for mapping uncertainty when creating inundation maps.
• Mapping Sea Level Rise – Learn how to map inundation from sea level rise using this mapping process.
• Technical Considerations for Use of Geospatial Data in Sea Level Change Mapping and Assessment – Learn how to apply geospatial data and information to support sea level rise mapping.
• Topographic and Bathymetric Data Considerations – Learn about elevation data references and minimizing error in seamless digital elevation models, which are important in coastal inundation mapping.
• Top Ten Elevation Concerns for Inundation Modeling – Learn the top ten concerns about elevation when creating an inundation model.
• U.S. Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH) – Map and display flood and other hazard data using this method developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The method helps users estimate physical damage to infrastructure, as well as economic and social impacts.

Local Examples

Visualize inundation issues to make better informed decisions.

• Coastal Resilience Long Island. The Nature Conservancy used methods found in the guidebook to develop inundation layers and visualize and understand the issues to make better informed decisions.
• Developing Consistent Methods for Mapping Sea Level Rise in Southeast Florida – See how four counties in Florida worked together to agree on data and sea level rise mapping techniques, as well as a method for mapping uncertainty.

Templates

• Hazard Education Awareness Tool – Import data and information into this template to tailor the tool for a specific location.