North Puerto Rico Shoreline Analysis 2022–2023

These geospatial datasets correspond to the extraction of elements and their attributes related to the shoreline and back beach of eleven (11) municipalities in the northwest and north coasts of Puerto Rico (Rincón, Aguadilla, Isabela, Hatillo, Arecibo, Dorado, Vega Baja, Carolina, Loíza, Río Grande, and Luquillo). These data were generated as part of the USGS Development of Coastal Change Capacity in Puerto Rico project (Cooperative Agreement G23AC00551-02). Cartographic information is organized into eight data types for the purpose of analysis and monitoring of changes along selected municipalities of the northwest and north coast of Puerto Rico. The FEMA-UPRRP Post-María Beach Assessment project, which the Coastal Research and Planning Institute of Puerto Rico (CoRePI-PR) team published in 2021, served as the baseline for the creation of these datasets (Barreto and others, 2021). The data types are as follows: 1) shoreline, 2) back beach, 3) beach edges, 4) beach polygons, 5) beach transects (5m interval), 6) beach transects (erosion-accretion transects 2018 vs. 2022–2023), 7) lost transects and 8) beach displacement. This methodology provides a rigorous approach to the acquisition, extraction, and processing of geospatial data related to the coastal changes. The subtypes and domains presented in this geodatabase enhance the accuracy of shoreline classification and coastal change analysis, leading to a better understanding of shoreline features, geomorphic changes, and environmental dynamics. These datasets include information on coastal shoreline displacement (using high water line as a proxy).

For further information regarding data collection and/or processing methods refer to:

Barreto, M., Méndez Tejeda, R., Cabrera, N., Bonano, V., Díaz, E., Pérez, K., and Castro, A., 2021, The state of coastal erosion in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María: Revista Geográfica De Chile Terra Australis, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 29–40, https://doi.org/10.23854/07199562.2021571esp.Barreto29.