Presentation Abstract
Historically, the main causes of coastal flooding have been due to astronomical (tides) and meteorological factors (storms). Estimation of the associated flood hazard from tides and storms typically has been predicated on the assumption of a stationary mean sea level. However, information from the global community of scientists and scientific agencies indicates sea level rise (SLR) is already occurring, and is expected to continue for some time. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the rate of sea level rise will increase in the future. As the sea level rises, it poses an increased risk of flooding to coastal communities, and also poses a challenge for local governments in terms of land development planning.Coastal Flood Construction Levels can be estimated as the sum of the following components: the higher high water level tide (HHWLT) elevation; an allowance for future sea level rise (SLR), tied to a particular time horizon, such as 2100; the estimated storm surge associated with the selected design storm; the estimated wave effect associated with the design storm; and freeboard.This report and presentation is intended to provide a technically-sound basis for local governments to develop coastal floodplain maps, including an estimation of Flood Construction Levels based upon best mapping and engineering practices. In light of rising sea levels, coastal floodplain maps will also allow local governments to define sea level rise planning zones, which will facilitate land use planning and development decisions.
Session Title
Session S-04H: Technical Tools to Support Sea Level Rise Adaptation in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Shorelines
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 8:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 10:00 AM
Location
Room 607
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Coastal zone management--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Coast changes--Mathematical models; Sea level--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Maps; Climatic changes--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Dikes (Engineering--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Floodplain management--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Floodplain Mapping Guidelines
Room 607
Historically, the main causes of coastal flooding have been due to astronomical (tides) and meteorological factors (storms). Estimation of the associated flood hazard from tides and storms typically has been predicated on the assumption of a stationary mean sea level. However, information from the global community of scientists and scientific agencies indicates sea level rise (SLR) is already occurring, and is expected to continue for some time. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the rate of sea level rise will increase in the future. As the sea level rises, it poses an increased risk of flooding to coastal communities, and also poses a challenge for local governments in terms of land development planning.Coastal Flood Construction Levels can be estimated as the sum of the following components: the higher high water level tide (HHWLT) elevation; an allowance for future sea level rise (SLR), tied to a particular time horizon, such as 2100; the estimated storm surge associated with the selected design storm; the estimated wave effect associated with the design storm; and freeboard.This report and presentation is intended to provide a technically-sound basis for local governments to develop coastal floodplain maps, including an estimation of Flood Construction Levels based upon best mapping and engineering practices. In light of rising sea levels, coastal floodplain maps will also allow local governments to define sea level rise planning zones, which will facilitate land use planning and development decisions.
