Citation:

Yang, J., Q. Robertson, M. Liang, AND J. Weiss. On the Storm Surge and Sea Level Rise Projections for Infrastructure Risk Analysis and Adaptation. Presented at EWRI2016, Palm Beach, Fl, May 23 - 26, 2016.

Impact/Purpose:

This EWRI presentation is to communicate the research results on determination and development of technical basis for water adaptation to sea level rise and storm surge

Description:

Storm surge can cause coastal hydrology changes, flooding, water quality changes, and even inundation of low-lying terrain. Strong wave actions and disruptive winds can damage water infrastructure and other environmental assets (hazardous and solid waste management facilities, wetlands, etc.). These impacts of extreme meteorological conditions are often a focus of climate adaptation planning and, when appropriate, of mitigation design and engineering. NOAA hurricane center has developed the Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) models, and structured application in three levels: the SLOSH simulation of the maximum of maximums (MOMs) storm surge height for emergency planning, MOMs and the maximum envelop of water (MEOW) for emergency preparedness, MEOW and probabilistic storm surge modeling for emergency actions. We have extended the tiered approach to the adaptation planning and design for coastal water infrastructure and environmental assets, for which it is necessary to incorporate sea level rise (SLR) into the SLOSH simulation. In this tiered approach, NOAA inundation maps used by U.S. EPA climate-ready water utilities (CRWUs) program are the basis for regional planning and climate vulnerability analysis; for example, in identifying vulnerable water utilities and solid waste facilities at given SLR scenarios. For infrastructure adaptation planning and engineering, accurate SLOSH projection of time-series surge propagation and hydrological impacts are critical. In a case study of the Southeastern Massachusetts coastal area, we have applied SLOSH simulation in systems modeling of hydrological impacts on water supplies focusing on salt water intrusion to streams and physical damage to drinking water plant.

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