Daniel Nowacki
I'm a coastal oceanographer at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California.
I am interested in the sediment transport and morphology of coastal and riverine systems and how those processes and characteristics relate to coastal hazards.
My work is primarily rooted in observations of the physical world. I use these field observations, sometimes in conjunction with numerical model output, to answer questions about sediment transport, coastal vulnerability and resilience, and more. I also have interests in instrument design and development, and data standardization, distribution, and reproducibility.
Professional Experience
2019–present: Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey, Santa Cruz, CA
2017–2019: Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA
2015–2017: Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA
2008–2015: Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2006–2008: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
M.S.E. Civil Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
B.S. Computer Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Spectral wave dissipation by submerged aquatic vegetation in a back-barrier estuary 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 planning of nature-based coastal protection...
Authors
Daniel J. Nowacki, Alexis Beudin, Neil K. Ganju
Quantification of storm-induced bathymetric change in a back-barrier estuary 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 measurement errors can be larger than the actual...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Steven E. Suttles, Alexis Beudin, Daniel J. Nowacki, Jennifer L. Miselis, Brian D. Andrews
Surface-Water Exchange through Culverts beneath State Road 9336 within Everglades National Park, 2004-05 Surface-Water Exchange through Culverts beneath State Road 9336 within Everglades National Park, 2004-05
The U.S. Geological Survey collected hydrologic data between June 2004 and December 2005 to investigate the temporal and spatial nature of flow exchanges through culverts beneath State Road 9336 within Everglades National Park. Continuous data collected during the study measured flow velocity, water level, salinity, conductivity, and water-temperature in or near seven culverts between Pa...
Authors
Raymond W. Schaffranek, Marc A. Stewart, Daniel J. Nowacki
Documentation of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic time-series measurement database Documentation of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic time-series measurement database
The U.S. Geological Survey (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 accurate prediction of the movement and fate of sediments and other suspended materials in the coastal ocean...
Authors
Ellyn T. Montgomery, Marinna A. Martini, Frances L. Lightsom, Bradford Butman, Daniel J. Nowacki, Steven E. Suttles
Filter Total Items: 15
Discharge measurements made in Bayou Heron and Bayou Middle, Grand Bay, Mississippi in January 2017 Discharge measurements made in Bayou Heron and Bayou Middle, Grand Bay, Mississippi in January 2017
Grand Bay, a 30-square-kilometer embayment of the Gulf of Mexico bordered by 20 square kilometers of salt marsh, is experiencing rapid lateral shoreline erosion at up to 5 meters per year. Determining whether the eroded sediment is exported to the deep ocean or imported via tidal channels and deposited on the marsh platform is critical to understanding the long-term response of the marsh...
Oceanographic measurements collected in the Stillaguamish River Delta, Port Susan, Washington, USA from March 2014 to July 2015 Oceanographic measurements collected in the Stillaguamish River Delta, Port Susan, Washington, USA from March 2014 to July 2015
This data release includes time-series and discrete measurements made within two breaches constructed in a former flood-control levee of a restored agricultural area in Port Susan, Washington. An area of approximately 61 ha near the mouth of the Stillaguamish River was reconnected to tidal flow via levee breaches as part of a larger restoration effort that took place in 2012. These...
Suspended-sediment concentration data from water samples collected in 2016-17 in Grand Bay, Alabama and Mississippi Suspended-sediment concentration data from water samples collected in 2016-17 in Grand Bay, Alabama and Mississippi
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element governing the geomorphology of tidal marshes and estuaries. Marsh elevation, relative to sea level, is maintained by both organic material and the deposition of inorganic sediment. Additionally, horizontal marsh extent is altered by lateral erosion and accretion. In wetlands within and near Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve...
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Spectral wave dissipation by submerged aquatic vegetation in a back-barrier estuary 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 planning of nature-based coastal protection...
Authors
Daniel J. Nowacki, Alexis Beudin, Neil K. Ganju
Quantification of storm-induced bathymetric change in a back-barrier estuary 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 measurement errors can be larger than the actual...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Steven E. Suttles, Alexis Beudin, Daniel J. Nowacki, Jennifer L. Miselis, Brian D. Andrews
Surface-Water Exchange through Culverts beneath State Road 9336 within Everglades National Park, 2004-05 Surface-Water Exchange through Culverts beneath State Road 9336 within Everglades National Park, 2004-05
The U.S. Geological Survey collected hydrologic data between June 2004 and December 2005 to investigate the temporal and spatial nature of flow exchanges through culverts beneath State Road 9336 within Everglades National Park. Continuous data collected during the study measured flow velocity, water level, salinity, conductivity, and water-temperature in or near seven culverts between Pa...
Authors
Raymond W. Schaffranek, Marc A. Stewart, Daniel J. Nowacki
Documentation of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic time-series measurement database Documentation of the U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic time-series measurement database
The U.S. Geological Survey (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 accurate prediction of the movement and fate of sediments and other suspended materials in the coastal ocean...
Authors
Ellyn T. Montgomery, Marinna A. Martini, Frances L. Lightsom, Bradford Butman, Daniel J. Nowacki, Steven E. Suttles
Filter Total Items: 15
Discharge measurements made in Bayou Heron and Bayou Middle, Grand Bay, Mississippi in January 2017 Discharge measurements made in Bayou Heron and Bayou Middle, Grand Bay, Mississippi in January 2017
Grand Bay, a 30-square-kilometer embayment of the Gulf of Mexico bordered by 20 square kilometers of salt marsh, is experiencing rapid lateral shoreline erosion at up to 5 meters per year. Determining whether the eroded sediment is exported to the deep ocean or imported via tidal channels and deposited on the marsh platform is critical to understanding the long-term response of the marsh...
Oceanographic measurements collected in the Stillaguamish River Delta, Port Susan, Washington, USA from March 2014 to July 2015 Oceanographic measurements collected in the Stillaguamish River Delta, Port Susan, Washington, USA from March 2014 to July 2015
This data release includes time-series and discrete measurements made within two breaches constructed in a former flood-control levee of a restored agricultural area in Port Susan, Washington. An area of approximately 61 ha near the mouth of the Stillaguamish River was reconnected to tidal flow via levee breaches as part of a larger restoration effort that took place in 2012. These...
Suspended-sediment concentration data from water samples collected in 2016-17 in Grand Bay, Alabama and Mississippi Suspended-sediment concentration data from water samples collected in 2016-17 in Grand Bay, Alabama and Mississippi
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element governing the geomorphology of tidal marshes and estuaries. Marsh elevation, relative to sea level, is maintained by both organic material and the deposition of inorganic sediment. Additionally, horizontal marsh extent is altered by lateral erosion and accretion. In wetlands within and near Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve...