Inundation mapping is a vital tool in coastal resilience engineering, helping identify flood-prone areas and assess risks. It combines data from various sources to create visual representations of potential flooding, guiding and emergency management in coastal regions.
These maps come in different types, from static scenarios to dynamic projections of . They inform crucial decisions about zoning, coastal protection, and evacuation planning. By integrating multiple data sources and advanced modeling techniques, inundation mapping provides a foundation for building more resilient coastal communities.
Fundamentals of inundation mapping
Inundation mapping plays a crucial role in coastal resilience engineering by identifying areas at risk of flooding
Helps coastal communities prepare for and mitigate the impacts of sea level rise, storm surges, and extreme weather events
Provides valuable information for land use planning, emergency management, and infrastructure design in coastal areas
Definition and purpose
Top images from around the web for Definition and purpose
HESS - Inundation mapping based on reach-scale effective geometry View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Prioritizing the protection and creation of natural and nature-based features for ... View original
Is this image relevant?
HESS - Inundation mapping based on reach-scale effective geometry View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Prioritizing the protection and creation of natural and nature-based features for ... View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 2
Top images from around the web for Definition and purpose
HESS - Inundation mapping based on reach-scale effective geometry View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Prioritizing the protection and creation of natural and nature-based features for ... View original
Is this image relevant?
HESS - Inundation mapping based on reach-scale effective geometry View original
Is this image relevant?
Frontiers | Prioritizing the protection and creation of natural and nature-based features for ... View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 2
Process of creating visual representations of potential flood-prone areas along coastlines
Identifies extent and depth of water coverage during flooding events
Aids in risk assessment, evacuation planning, and long-term coastal management strategies
Supports decision-making for coastal infrastructure development and protection measures
Types of inundation maps
Static inundation maps show flood extent for specific scenarios (100-year storm event)
Dynamic inundation maps illustrate flooding progression over time
Probabilistic inundation maps display likelihood of flooding in different areas
Sea level rise inundation maps project future flooding based on climate change scenarios
Often include multiple timeframes (2050, 2100) and sea level rise projections
Applications in coastal management
Guides zoning and land use regulations in flood-prone areas
Informs design of coastal protection structures (seawalls, levees)
Supports development of evacuation routes and emergency response plans
Aids in prioritizing areas for ecosystem restoration and natural flood protection
Helps assess potential economic impacts of flooding on coastal communities
Data sources for inundation mapping
Accurate and up-to-date data sources are essential for creating reliable inundation maps
Integration of multiple data types improves the precision and comprehensiveness of mapping efforts
Continuous data collection and updating enhances the long-term value of inundation maps for coastal resilience planning
Topographic data
Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) provide terrain elevation information
Light Detection and Ranging () offers high-resolution surface data
Photogrammetry techniques extract elevation data from aerial photographs
Ground surveys provide precise elevation measurements for specific areas
Often used to validate or supplement other data sources
Bathymetric data
Multibeam echo sounders collect detailed seafloor depth information
Single-beam sonar systems provide bathymetric profiles along survey lines
Satellite-derived bathymetry offers broad coverage in shallow coastal areas
Historical nautical charts provide baseline data for long-term coastal changes
Sea level rise projections
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports offer global projections
Regional climate models provide localized sea level rise estimates
Tide gauge data informs historical sea level trends and future projections
Satellite altimetry measurements track global sea level changes with high precision
Storm surge models
SLOSH (Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes) model simulates storm surge
ADCIRC (Advanced Circulation) model provides high-resolution coastal flooding predictions
Delft3D integrates hydrodynamic and wave models for comprehensive coastal simulations
MIKE 21 offers flexible modeling capabilities for various coastal and marine applications
Inundation mapping techniques
Various techniques are employed to create accurate and informative inundation maps
Selection of appropriate methods depends on data availability, study area characteristics, and project objectives
Combining multiple techniques often yields more comprehensive and reliable results
GIS-based methods
Overlay analysis combines elevation data with projected water levels
Cost-distance algorithms simulate water flow across terrain
Spatial interpolation techniques estimate flood depths between known points
Multi-criteria decision analysis incorporates various factors affecting inundation
Includes land cover, soil type, and infrastructure
Hydrodynamic modeling
1D models simulate water flow in channels and rivers (HEC-RAS)
2D models account for complex flow patterns in coastal areas (TUFLOW)
3D models incorporate vertical water column dynamics (Delft3D)