Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project
Oceanographic Time-Series Data Collection
Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the USGS between 1975 and the present as part of research programs. The data were collected to address specific research questions using stationary platforms with sensors near the seafloor
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The Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Group's research, projects, and equipment.
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Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project exists to support ocean, coastal and estuarine research. The staff have a broad set of skills; from instrument design and development to all forms of work at sea to software development and data management. The team has successfully deployed and recovered more than 1000 data collection platforms for research in the last 30 years.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project, part of the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, provides operational support for studies of coastal ocean circulation and sediment transport. The Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project staff design, fabricate, deploy, and recover a variety of instrumented platforms for research. It has capabilities in engineering, software development, project management, data acquisition, data processing and data archiving. Instrument measurement quality assessments, interface design, and development of novel housings are all examples of the engineering tasks routinely completed. The Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project maintains a diverse pool of high-quality oceanographic instruments, and develop new techniques to improve or modify existing sensors and systems. Field experiments are conducted in estuarine, coastal, and continental shelf regions. Oceanographic moorings, tripods and other platforms are deployed at water depths ranges from less than a meter to more than a thousand meters.
The Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project team members have extensive experience in collecting and managing oceanographic data from deep water to near shore environments. They support research projects carried out by scientists at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center and their colleagues, with assistance to other programs as resources allow.
Sediment transport team members attach a quick-release to the top of a bottom lander prior to deployment
The data collected are typically comprised of measurements from sensors deployed in arrays at fixed locations. These time-series observations are used in studies of regional circulation and sediment transport processes in estuaries, marshes, beach regions and in the coastal ocean. The observation periods range from a few days to more than a year. Since 1975, the Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project has deployed over 1000 separate platforms in support of field research programs.
An extensive software system has been developed and maintained to decode, process, edit, display, archive and analyze the oceanographic data collected. This system uses Matlab® and python programs to output files in EPIC-compliant NetCDF format. CF-Compliant NetCDF files are also created and are available at [http://cfconventions.org] and the Oceanographic Time-Series Database.
Time series observations collected throughout the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (E.E.Z.) by the group since 1975 are managed, archived and distributed to collaborators, other investigators, and the public over the World Wide Web as part of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Database (see http://stellwagen.er.usgs.gov). File downloads and access via OPeNDAP are possible from the page describing each experiment.
Steve Suttles (USGS) uses a radio to determine if an Acoustic Backscatter sensor (white circle) is still operating at the end of the deployment.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics- Equipment
The Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project maintains an extensive and diverse inventory of instruments for measuring oceanographic parameters in-situ over long periods of time (a few days to as long as one year) and platforms on which to deploy the instruments in estuarine, coastal, and deep ocean environments. These instruments measure a wide variety of parameters relevant to studies of...
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Date published: July 2, 2018Status: Active
Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics- Projects
Field experiments carried out by the Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project include observations offshore of barrier islands and headlands; observations on barrier islands; observations in estuaries; observations in shelf environments; and process studies of sediment transport in the bottom boundary layer. Experiments typically involved deployment of an array of a variety of instrument...
Contacts: Steven E Suttles -
Date published: July 2, 2018Status: Active
Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics - Engineering
The Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Project primarily uses off-the-shelf instrumentation and sensors to collect observations. Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics team designs and implements novel configurations for logging of data from sensors, and for deployment of these instruments in a wide range of estuarine, coastal, and ocean environments. Project staff continually evaluates instrument and...
Contacts: Steven E Suttles, Eric E Marsjanik
Below are publications associated with this project.
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Year Published: 2008
Documentation of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Measurement Database
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Oceanographic Time-Series Data Collection (previously named the USGS Oceanographic Time-Series Measurement Database) contains oceanographic observations made as part of studies designed to increase understanding of sediment transport processes and associated dynamics. Analysis of these data has contributed to more...
Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Martini, Marinna A.; Lightsom, Frances L.; Butman, BradfordView CitationMontgomery, E.T., Martini, M.A., Lightsom, F.L. and Butman, Bradford, 2016, Documentation of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Measurement Database (ver. 2.0, April 2016): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007–1194, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071194.
Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014–15
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and technical support staff measured oceanographic, waterquality, seabed-elevation-change, and meteorological parameters in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, during the period of August 13, 2014, to July 14, 2015, as part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms project (GS2–2D) supported by the...
Suttles, Steven E. ; Ganju, Neil K.; Brosnahan, Sandra M.; Montgomery, Ellyn T. ; Dickhudt, Patrick J. ; Beudin, Alexis; Nowacki, Daniel J. ; Martini, Marinna A.Spectral wave dissipation by submerged aquatic vegetation in a back-barrier estuary
Submerged aquatic vegetation is generally thought to attenuate waves, but this interaction remains poorly characterized in shallow-water field settings with locally generated wind waves. Better quantification of wave–vegetation interaction can provide insight to morphodynamic changes in a variety of environments and also is relevant to the...
Nowacki, Daniel J. ; Beudin, Alexis; Ganju, Neil K.Quantification of storm-induced bathymetric change in a back-barrier estuary
Geomorphology is a fundamental control on ecological and economic function of estuaries. However, relative to open coasts, there has been little quantification of storm-induced bathymetric change in back-barrier estuaries. Vessel-based and airborne bathymetric mapping can cover large areas quickly, but change detection is difficult because...
Ganju, Neil K.; Suttles, Steven E.; Beudin, Alexis; Nowacki, Daniel J. ; Miselis, Jennifer L.; Andrews, Brian D.Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, 2014–15
Scientists and technical support staff from the U.S. Geological Survey measured suspended-sediment concentrations, currents, pressure, and water temperature in two tidal creeks, Reedy Creek and Dinner Creek, in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, from August 11, 2014, to July 10, 2015 as part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms project (GS2–2D)....
Suttles, Steven E.; Ganju, Neil K.; Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Borden, Jonathan; Brosnahan, Sandra M.; Martini, Marinna A.Summary of oceanographic measurements for characterizing light attenuation and sediment resuspension in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary, New Jersey, 2013
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, measured suspended-sediment concentrations, currents, waves, light attenuation, and a variety of other water-quality parameters in the summer of 2013 in Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. These measurements quantified light attenuation...
Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Ganju, Neil K.; Montgomery, Ellyn T.Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Wells, Maine, in 2013
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element controlling the geomorphology of tidal wetland complexes. Wetlands rely on organic material and inorganic sediment deposition to maintain their elevation relative to sea level. The U.S. Geological Survey performed observational deployments to measure suspended-sediment concentration and water flow...
Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Ganju, Neil K.; Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Borden, Jonathan; Martini, Marinna A.; Brosnahan, Sandra M.Coastal Change Processes Project data report for oceanographic observations near Fire Island, New York, February through May 2014
An oceanographic field study during February through May 2014 investigated processes that control the sediment-transport dynamics along the western part of Fire Island, New York. This report describes the project background, field program, instrumentation configuration, and locations of the sensors deployed. The data collected, including...
Armstrong, Brandy N.; Warner, John C.; List, Jeffrey H.; Martini, Marinna A.; Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Traykovski, Peter A.; Voulgaris, GeorgeWater-level and wave measurements in the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, 2012 and 2013
This report documents measurements of atmospheric pressure, water levels, and waves made by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, during 2012 and 2013 as part of the Barrier Island Evolution Research project. Simple, inexpensive pressure sensors mounted in shallow wells were buried in the beach and left for one hurricane...
Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Sherwood, Christopher R.; DeWitt, Nancy T.Coastal Change Processes Project data report for observations near Fire Island, New York, January to April 2012
An oceanographic field study during January through April 2012 investigated processes that control the sediment-transport dynamics near Fire Island, New York. This report describes the project background, field program, instrumentation configuration, and locations of the sensors deploymed. The data collected and supporting meteorological...
Armstrong, Brandy N.; Warner, John C.; List, Jeffrey H.; Martini, Marinna A.; Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Voulgaris, George; Traykovski, Peter A.Studying seafloor bedforms using autonomous stationary imaging and profiling sonars
The Sediment Transport Group at the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center uses downward looking sonars deployed on seafloor tripods to assess and measure the formation and migration of bedforms. The sonars have been used in three resolution-testing experiments, and deployed autonomously to observe changes in the...
Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Sherwood, Christopher R.Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, 2011
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element governing the geomorphology of tidal marshes. Marshes rely on both organic material and inorganic sediment deposition to maintain their elevation relative to sea level. In wetlands near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, portions of the salt marsh have been subsiding relative to...
Ganju, Neil K.; Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Brennand, Patrick; Derby, R. Kyle; Brooks, Thomas W.; Guntenspergen, Glenn R.; Martini, Marinna A.; Borden, Jonathan; Baldwin, Sandra M.Profile measurements and data from the 2011 Optics, Acoustics, and Stress In Situ (OASIS) project at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory
This report documents data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the Coastal Model Applications and Field Measurements project under the auspices of the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research Optics, Acoustics, and Stress In Situ (OASIS) Project. The objective of the measurements was to relate optical and acoustic properties of suspended...
Sherwood, Christopher R.; Dickhudt, Patrick J.; Martini, Marinna A.; Montgomery, Ellyn T.; Boss, Emmanuel S.Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Data Collection
Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1975 and the present as part of research programs. The data were collected to address specific research questions and were primarily collected over durations less than a year, using stationary platforms, with sensors near the sea floor. These data have been used to study of ocean dynamics and to validate ocean...
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Date published: December 20, 2018
Oceanographic and Water Quality Measurements in two Southern California Coastal Wetlands, 2013-2014
The objective was to compare an urbanized wetland with limited sediment supply (Seal Beach) with a less modified marsh (Pt. Mugu) with fluvial sediment supply. Marine temperature, conductivity, pressure sensors, optical turbidity sensors and acoustic velocity meters were deployed on bottom platforms to quantify the conditions in the water column.
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Date published: December 20, 2018
Oceanographic and Water Quality Measurements in two Southern California Coastal Wetlands, 2013-2014
The objective was to compare an urbanized wetland with limited sediment supply (Seal Beach) with a less modified marsh (Pt. Mugu) with fluvial sediment supply. Marine temperature, conductivity, pressure sensors, optical turbidity sensors and acoustic velocity meters were deployed on bottom platforms to quantify the conditions in the water column.
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Date published: December 20, 2018
Oceanographic, Atmospheric and Water-Quality Measurements Sandwich Town Neck Beach, Massachusetts, 2016
These measurements provide information about waves, tides, and overwash during a winter storm in January 2016; about waves, tides, currents, and water properties between February and May, 2016; and about waves and tides between May and June 2016, during a period that overlaps with offshore bathymetric surveys.
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Date published: December 18, 2018
Oceanographic, Atmospheric and Water-Quality Measurements Sandwich Town Neck Beach, Massachusetts, 2017
These measurements provide short-duration datasets of waves, tides, and overwash from portable pressure sensors deployed on the beach during major winter storms on these dates: January 23-26; February 9-10; February 13-15; and March 13-15, 2017. Longer datasets were obtained from sensors on a platform deployed on the seafloor north of the beach in seven meters depth.
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Date published: December 17, 2018
Oceanographic and Water Quality Measurements Collected in Grand Bay, Alabama/Mississippi, August 2016 – January 2017
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element governing the geomorphology of tidal marshes and estuaries. Marshes rely both on organic material and inorganic sediment deposition to maintain their elevation relative to sea-level. Additionally, horizontal marsh extent is altered by lateral erosion and accretion.
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Date published: September 17, 2018
Near-bottom Temperature, Conductivity, and Light Transmission Observations in the Western Gulf of Maine, 2013-2017
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Date published: March 29, 2018
Water samples in support of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia 2014-2015, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2014-048-FA
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and technical support staff measured oceanographic, water quality, seabed elevation change, and meteorological parameters in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, during the period of August 13, 2014 to July 14, 2015 as part of the Estuarine Physical Response (EPR) to Storms project (GS2-2D) supported by the Department of the Interior Hurricane Sandy...
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Date published: August 18, 2017
Water level measurements collected in West Falmouth Harbor, MA, 2017
Water-level gauges were deployed at two sites in West Falmouth Harbor between April and June 2017. One gauge was mounted under the town-owned West Falmouth boat dock and the other on the private Associates dock near the mouth of the Harbor. Data from the upper sensor at the Associates dock were used to make atmospheric pressure corrections at both sites.
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Date published: June 18, 2017
Water level measurements collected in West Falmouth Harbor, MA, May - October 2016
Water-level gauges were deployed at two sites in West Falmouth Harbor between May and October 2016. Two sequential deployments were required to provide measurements for the entire period. One gauge was mounted under the town-owned West Falmouth boat dock and the other on the private Associates dock near the mouth of the Harbor.
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Date published: January 20, 2017
Oceanographic and Water-Quality Measurements collected south of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, November - December, 2015
Two platforms were deployed at adjacent sites near the Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO ) to compare their ability to measure bottom shear stress. One platform was a low-profile (20 cm-high) sled, and the other platform was a large (2.5-m high) quadpod. Both platforms supported a pair of single-point acoustic-Doppler current...
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Minipod style tripod for near bottom current and wave measurements
Minipod style tripod for near bottom current and wave measurements ready for deployment.
Divers prepare oceanographic equipment
Divers prepare patterns of known targets for verification of sonar resolution.
Oceanographic Tripods on the Dock
A flow tripod (taller, right) and sonar tripod (smaller, left) at the dock before being loaded onto a ship and taken to a site off Fire Island for deployment.
University of Maine Ocean Observing System surface buoy.
University of Maine Ocean Observing System surface buoy. Suspended beneath the buoy is a suite of oceanographic sensors. Data are transmitted to the surface buoy through the mooring cable, transmitted to shore, and decoded and displayed on the NERACOOS website every hour. Click here for real-
...Deployment of an instrumented quadrapod off Martha’s Vineyard
Deployment of an instrumented quadrapod off Martha’s Vineyard, November 2014.
Marinna Martini prepares to deploy a NIMBBLE from the R/V Connecticut
Marinna Martini prepares to deploy a NIMBBLE from the R/V Connecticut south of Martha's Vineyard
Sea floor platforms on the R/V Connecticut
Deck of R/V Connecticut loaded with sea floor platforms prior to deployment off Fire Island, NY
USGS technicians prepare a sediment trap
USGS technicians prepare a sediment trap to sample the sea floor off Cape Hatteras.
Shallow Water Irradience Platform placement in Barnegat Bay, NJ
Investigators prepare to place a Shallow Water Irradience Platform (SWIP) at a site in Barnegat Bay, NJ.
Schematic of system designed to control movement and logging of data
Schematic of system designed to control movement and logging of data collected by the Moving Arm Tripod at Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory in 2011.
Electronics for controlling the moving arm
Electronics for controlling the moving arm in the open pressure housing.
Deploying an instrumented minipod South of Fire Island, NY.
USGS researchers deploying an instrumented minipod South of Fire Island, NY.