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Eric Grossman

Research Geologist with the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Science and Products

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Photos of black mangrove freeze damage (upper and middle photos), recovery (middle photos) and resistance (lower photos)

Habitat Vulnerability to Climate Change: Identifying Climate Change Induced Mass Mortality Events Across Large Landscapes of the United States

USGS researchers will characterize extreme climatic events across U.S. following a review of case studies of mass mortality events associated with climate extremes including drought, precipitation, freeze, heat waves, and storm events.
By
California Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Habitat Vulnerability to Climate Change: Identifying Climate Change Induced Mass Mortality Events Across Large Landscapes of the United States

USGS researchers will characterize extreme climatic events across U.S. following a review of case studies of mass mortality events associated with climate extremes including drought, precipitation, freeze, heat waves, and storm events.
Learn More
link
High coastal arctic bluff with broken chunks, some that are ready to fall into the crashing waves, and some that have fallen.

Coastal Climate Impacts

The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise around the Pacific and Arctic Oceans can vary tremendously. Thus far the vast majority of national and international impact assessments and models of coastal climate change have focused on low-relief coastlines that are not near seismically active zones. Furthermore, the degree to which extreme waves and wind will add further stress to coastal...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Coastal Climate Impacts

The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise around the Pacific and Arctic Oceans can vary tremendously. Thus far the vast majority of national and international impact assessments and models of coastal climate change have focused on low-relief coastlines that are not near seismically active zones. Furthermore, the degree to which extreme waves and wind will add further stress to coastal...
Learn More
link
Aerial photograph of a wetland area, with waterways, islands, peninsulas, and a town visible.

Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound

A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Washington Water Science Center
link

Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound

A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
Learn More
link
Satellite image of study area, showing forests, a bay or inlet, and estuaries and rivers.

PS-CoSMoS: Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System

The CoSMoS model is currently available for most of the California coast and is now being expanded to support the 4.5 million coastal residents of the Puget Sound region, with emphasis on the communities bordering the sound.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PS-CoSMoS: Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System

The CoSMoS model is currently available for most of the California coast and is now being expanded to support the 4.5 million coastal residents of the Puget Sound region, with emphasis on the communities bordering the sound.
Learn More
link
Beach seine Bainbridge Island

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystems Science

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystem Science (PES) supports interdisciplinary ecological research in the Puget Sound, Washington, watershed and nearshore.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystems Science

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystem Science (PES) supports interdisciplinary ecological research in the Puget Sound, Washington, watershed and nearshore.
Learn More
link
Illustration showing an oblique view of the Puget Sound watershed.

Estuaries and large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest

Essential habitat for wild salmon and other wildlife borders river deltas and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These estuaries also support industry, agriculture, and a large human population that’s expected to double by the year 2060, but each could suffer from more severe river floods, higher sea level, and storm surges caused by climate change.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Estuaries and large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest

Essential habitat for wild salmon and other wildlife borders river deltas and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These estuaries also support industry, agriculture, and a large human population that’s expected to double by the year 2060, but each could suffer from more severe river floods, higher sea level, and storm surges caused by climate change.
Learn More
link
View from up high above a flat beach area lots of rocks and boulders, very little wave action.

Using Video Imagery to Study Coastal Change: Whidbey Island

From May of 2018 through November of 2019, USGS scientists collected imagery from video cameras overlooking the coast along a beach on Whidbey Island, Island County at the northern boundary of Puget Sound in western Washington.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Using Video Imagery to Study Coastal Change: Whidbey Island

From May of 2018 through November of 2019, USGS scientists collected imagery from video cameras overlooking the coast along a beach on Whidbey Island, Island County at the northern boundary of Puget Sound in western Washington.
Learn More
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Person walking through tall grasses in marsh landscape, carrying field equipment of their shoulder

Assessing the Benefits and Vulnerability of Current and Future Potential Ecosystem Services of the Nisqually River Delta and other Puget Sound Estuaries

The Nisqually River Delta represents the largest wetland restoration in the Pacific Northwest. The restoration resulted in a 50% increase in potential salt marsh habitat. The Delta supports threatened salmon fisheries, large populations of migratory birds, and provides unique opportunities for recreation. The Delta also provides multiple ecosystem services, which are the benefits that wildlife or
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Assessing the Benefits and Vulnerability of Current and Future Potential Ecosystem Services of the Nisqually River Delta and other Puget Sound Estuaries

The Nisqually River Delta represents the largest wetland restoration in the Pacific Northwest. The restoration resulted in a 50% increase in potential salt marsh habitat. The Delta supports threatened salmon fisheries, large populations of migratory birds, and provides unique opportunities for recreation. The Delta also provides multiple ecosystem services, which are the benefits that wildlife or
Learn More
link
Graphic of waves breaking at the ocean surface with lettering below it for the coastal storm modeling system.

PS-CoSMoS FAQs

Puget Sound - Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) frequently asked questions

link

PS-CoSMoS FAQs

Puget Sound - Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) frequently asked questions

Learn More
link
Tidal marsh, Pacific Northwest

Understanding the Interactions Between Human Health, Environment, and Climate in Salish Sea Communities

The overarching project goal was to develop overlapping conceptual models of environmental and community health indicators in reference to climate forecasts. The sensitivity of species and habitats to climate was cross-walked with recently developed Coast Salish community health indicators (e.g., ceremonial use, knowledge exchange, and physiological well-being) in order to demonstrate how Indigeno
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Understanding the Interactions Between Human Health, Environment, and Climate in Salish Sea Communities

The overarching project goal was to develop overlapping conceptual models of environmental and community health indicators in reference to climate forecasts. The sensitivity of species and habitats to climate was cross-walked with recently developed Coast Salish community health indicators (e.g., ceremonial use, knowledge exchange, and physiological well-being) in order to demonstrate how Indigeno
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Filter Total Items: 25

Data collected in 2009-2012 to assess benthic macroinvertebrate response to dike removal on the Nisqually River delta

Macroinvertebrate and environmental data were collected annually in July-August in the year before dike removal (2009) and the first three years after dike removal (2010-2012) at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, U.S.A. Data were collected along a gradient extending from the inner marsh edge to the delta front and spanning different types of habitat including marsh restored to tidal inundatio
By
Western Fisheries Research Center

Future coastal groundwater hazards in the Puget Sound region, Washington, U.S.A.

This data release contains model results for groundwater response to sea-level rise (SLR) in coastal areas around Puget Sound, Washington. The high resolution (50m) models predict steady-state unconfined groundwater heads under long-term (17y) average recharge conditions, with spatially variable hydraulic conductivities (Ks) from published models, and include model runs with Ks increased and decre
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Salish Sea Hydrodynamic Model

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the Salish Sea was constructed using the Delft3D Flexible Mesh Suite (Deltares, 2020) to simulate still water levels in the past and future and evaluate extreme recurrence water level events accounting for sea level rise and climate change. Three sets of model simulations were performed following Grossman and others (2023). The first simulated the water year
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Wave observations from bottom-mounted pressure sensors along the West side of Whidbey Island, Washington from Dec 2018 to Jan 2020

Continuous water level measurements were made at 8 sites along a gradient in wave exposure on west Whidbey Island, Western Washington to characterize the wave climate and validate models of wave propagation.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal hazards assessment associated with sea level rise and storms along the Whatcom County, Northwest Washington State coast

This product contains several datasets that map exposure to future forecasted hazards related to coastal flooding and extreme wave heights accounting for sea level rise (SLR) and climate change along the Whatcom County coast of northwestern Washington State in the Salish Sea. The SLR scenarios encompass a plausible range of projections by 2100 based on the best available science and storms account
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Model input and projections of compound floodwater depths for the lower Nooksack River and delta, western Washington State

Model input and computed flood depths associated with the combined influence of sea level position, tides, storm surge, and streamflow under existing conditions and projected future higher sea level and peak stream runoff are provided for the lower (Reach 1) of the Nooksack River and delta in Whatcom County, western Washington State. The flood-depth projection data are provided in a series of rast
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Oceanographic and water-quality measurements collected in Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA, 2019 to 2021

Bottom-landing and floating platforms with instrumentation to measure currents, waves, water level, optical turbidity, water temperature, and conductivity were deployed at four locations in Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA. Platforms were deployed during three separate periods: July 30, 2019-November 14, 2019; November 19, 2019-February 5, 2020; and January 22, 2021-April 13, 2021. Additionally, wa
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Geochemistry of surface sediment and sediment cores in Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, in February 2020

Geochemical data are reported for surface sediments and long sediment cores from Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, collected in early February 2020 after flood conditions on the Nooksack River. Data include total organic carbon content (TOC), carbonate content (CaCO3), ratios of stable carbon 13/12 isotopes (d13C), ratios of total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N), short-lived cosmogenic ra
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington

This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs from modeling habitat change, marsh vertical accretion, and carbon accumulation in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. These rasters represent projections of future habitat type, change in surface elevation above Mean Sea Level, and total sediment carbon accumulation since 2011 in coastal wetland habitats. Projections were generated in 20-yea
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Time-series measurements of pressure, conductivity, temperature, and water level collected in Puget Sound and Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA, 2018 to 2021

Pressure, conductivity, temperature, and water level relative the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) were measured at seven locations in Puget Sound and Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA, from November 2, 2018 to June 4, 2021. These data were collected using submersible pressure-conductivity-temperature sensors mounted on piers to support studies of extreme water levels and flooding haza
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Eelgrass distributions and bathymetry of Bellingham Bay, Washington, 2019

This data release presents eelgrass distributions and bathymetry data derived from acoustic surveys of Bellingham Bay, Washington. Survey operations were conducted between February 16 and February 21, 2019 (USGS Field Activity Number 2019-606-FA) by a team of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center and Washington State Department of Ecology. Eelgrass an
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Aerial imagery and structure-from-motion data products from UAS survey of the intertidal zone at Lone Tree Point, Kiket Bay, WA, June 2019

An unmanned aerial system (UAS) was used to acquire high-resolution imagery of the intertidal zone at Lone Tree Point, Kiket Bay, Washington on June 5, 2019. This imagery was processed using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric techniques to derive a high-resolution digital surface model (DSM), orthomosaic imagery, and topographic point clouds. In order to maximize the extent of the suba
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Wet sand on a beach has a little shallow water with rocks and boulders, coastal cliffs in background.
Beach on Whidbey Island
Beach on Whidbey Island
Wet sand on a beach has a little shallow water with rocks and boulders, coastal cliffs in background.

Beach on Whidbey Island

Beach on Whidbey Island

View of beach on Whidbey Island, looking north.

By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Wet sand on a beach has a little shallow water with rocks and boulders, coastal cliffs in background.

Beach on Whidbey Island

Beach on Whidbey Island

View of beach on Whidbey Island, looking north.

By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Filter Total Items: 43

Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient

Benthic invertebrates play vital roles in estuarine ecosystems, but like other taxa they have been excluded from former marshlands by diking and land use conversion. Dike removal is one way of restoring marsh, but the response of benthic invertebrates has been little studied. Also understudied is variation in benthic invertebrate communities across entire deltas, particularly in the Pacific Northw
Authors
Stephen P. Rubin, Melanie J. Davis, Eric E. Grossman, Isa Woo, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Glynnis Nakai, John Y. Takekawa
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Vulnerability to sea-level rise varies among estuaries and habitat types: Lessons learned from a network of surface elevation tables in Puget Sound

Estuarine systems that provide valuable ecosystem services to society and important foraging and rearing habitat for fish and wildlife species continue to undergo degradation. In Puget Sound, WA, as much as 70–80% of historic estuarine habitat has been lost to anthropogenic development, and continued losses are expected through the end of the twenty-first century due to rising sea levels. To evalu
Authors
Melanie J. Davis, Katrina L. Poppe, John M. Rybczyk, Eric E. Grossman, Isa Woo, Joshua W. Chamberlin, Michelle Totman, Todd Zackey, Frank Leonetti, Suzanne Shull, Susan E. W. De La Cruz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Dynamic modeling of coastal compound flooding hazards due to tides, extratropical storms, waves, and sea-level rise: A case study in the Salish Sea, Washington (USA)

The Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) is a tool designed to dynamically downscale future climate scenarios (i.e., projected changes in wind and pressure fields and temperature) to compute regional water levels, waves, and compound flooding over large geographic areas (100 s of kilometers) at high spatial resolutions (1 m) pertinent to coastal hazard assessments and planning. Th
Authors
Kees Nederhoff, Sean C. Crosby, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Eric E. Grossman, Babak Tehranirad, T. Leijnse, W. Klessens, Patrick L. Barnard
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Modeling extreme water levels in the Salish Sea: The importance of including remote sea level anomalies for application in hydrodynamic simulations

Extreme water-level recurrence estimates for a complex estuary using a high-resolution 2D model and a new method for estimating remotely generated sea level anomalies (SLAs) at the model boundary have been developed. The hydrodynamic model accurately resolves the dominant physical processes contributing to extreme water levels across the Washington State waters of the Salish Sea, including the rel
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Babak Tehranirad, Kees Nederhoff, Sean Crosby, Andrew W. Stevens, Nathan R. VanArendonk, Daniel J. Nowacki, Li H. Erikson, Patrick L. Barnard
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Compound flood model for the lower Nooksack River and delta, western Washington—Assessment of vulnerability and nature-based adaptation opportunities to mitigate higher sea level and stream flooding

Higher sea level and stream runoff associated with climate change is expected to lead to greater lowland flooding across the Pacific Northwest. Increases in stream runoff that range from 20 to 32 percent by the 2040s and from 52 to 72 percent by the 2080s is expected to steadily increase flood risk. Flood risk is also expected to increase in response to the landward shift in high tides and storm s
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Cornelis M. Nederhoff
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Fluvial delivery and wave resuspension of sediment in a sheltered, urbanized Pacific Northwest estuary

The sequence and timing of sediment delivery and redistribution in coastal systems is important for shoreline stability, ecosystem services, and remediation planning. In temperate estuaries, understanding the role of fluvial sediment delivery and dispersal relative to wind and wave remobilization processes is particularly important to address the fate of contaminants, many of which adsorb to fine
Authors
Daniel J. Nowacki, Andrew W. Stevens, Renee K. Takesue, Eric E. Grossman
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Efficient modeling of wave generation and propagation in a semi-enclosed estuary

Accurate, and high-resolution wave statistics are critical for regional hazard mapping and planning. However, long-term simulations at high spatial resolution are often computationally prohibitive. Here, multiple rapid frameworks including fetch-limited, look-up-table (LUT), and linear propagation are combined and tested in a large estuary exposed to both remotely (swell) and locally generated wav
Authors
Sean C. Crosby, Cornelis M. Nederhoff, Nathan R. VanArendonk, Eric E. Grossman
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Assessment of vulnerabilities and opportunities to restore marsh sediment supply at Nisqually River Delta, west-central Washington

A cascading set of hazards to coastal environments is intimately tied to sediment transport and includes the flooding and erosion of shorelines and habitats that support communities, industry, infrastructure, and ecosystem functions (for example, habitats critical to fisheries). This report summarizes modeling and measurement data used to evaluate the sediment budget of the Nisqually River Delta,
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Sean C. Crosby, Andrew W. Stevens, Daniel J. Nowacki, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Christopher A. Curran
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary

Sea-level rise (SLR) and obstructions to sediment delivery pose challenges to the persistence of estuarine habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Restoration actions and sediment management strategies may help mitigate such challenges by encouraging the vertical accretion of sediment in and horizontal migration of tidal forests and marshes. We used a process-based soil accretion model (
Authors
Monica Mei Jeen Moritsch, Kristin B. Byrd, Melanie J. Davis, Anthony J. Good, Judith Z. Drexler, James T. Morris, Isa Woo, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Eric E. Grossman, Glynnis Nakai, Katrina L. Poppe, John M. Rybczyk
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Science and Decisions Center, California Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center

Long-term changes in kelp forests in an inner basin of the Salish Sea

Kelp forests form an important biogenic habitat that responds to natural and human drivers. Global concerns exist about threats to kelp forests, yet long-term information is limited and research suggests that trends are geographically distinct. We examined distribution of the bull kelp Nereocystis luetkeana over 145 years in South Puget Sound (SPS), a semi-protected inner basin in a fjord estuary
Authors
H.D. Berry, T.F. Mumford, M. Calloway, L. Ferrier, B. Christiaen, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Eric E. Grossman, P. Dowty
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nearshore water quality and coral health indicators along the west coast of the Island of Hawaiʻi, 2010–2014

Coral reefs worldwide are experiencing rapid degradation in response to climate and land-use change, namely effects of warming sea-surface temperatures, contaminant runoff, and overfishing. Extensive coral bleaching caused by the steady rise of sea-surface temperatures is projected to increase, but our understanding and ability to predict where corals may be most resilient to this effect is limite
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Lisa Marrack, Nathan R. vanArendonk
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Process-based models and studies of coastal change to inform habitat restoration and climate change adaptation

Puget Sound salmon and estuary recovery strategies identify tens of thousands of acres of floodplain and estuary habitat restoration needed to re-establish ecosystem functions lost or degraded from western land use (Simenstad et al., 2011); the extent for nearshore habitat remains uncertain. Sediment is critical for shaping the structure and functions of these ecosystems and the success of many ha
Authors
Eric E. Grossman
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Benthic Invertebrate Response to Estuarine Marsh Restoration at the Nisqually River Delta

Benthic Invertebrate Response to Estuarine Marsh Restoration at the Nisqually River Delta

New research from the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluates the response of benthic invertebrates to the largest...

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USGS-led Study: Sediment Management is Key to Preserving Puget Sound's Estuarine Habitats

USGS-led Study: Sediment Management is Key to Preserving Puget Sound's Estuarine Habitats

Rising sea levels and ongoing anthropogenic development continue to threaten estuaries worldwide. New research conducted by USGS alongside state...

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Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Three new studies from USGS and partners use an advanced coastal-storm modeling system to deliver fine-scale projections of wave behavior, flood...

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PCMSC Scientists Among USGS Contributors to National Climate Assessment

PCMSC Scientists Among USGS Contributors to National Climate Assessment

Scientists from the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) are among dozens of USGS contributors to the Fifth National Climate Assessment...

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New Models Show Restoration Can Benefit Salmon While Reducing Flood Risks to Pacific Northwest River Deltas

New Models Show Restoration Can Benefit Salmon While Reducing Flood Risks to Pacific Northwest River Deltas

Large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest—low-lying and already flood-prone—face a future marked by increasingly frequent and intense flooding as...

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Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

New, integrated, multidisciplinary studies from USGS and partners characterize the importance of sediment supply to coastal resilience and ecosystem...

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Video cameras monitor coastal change on Whidbey Island, Washington

Video cameras monitor coastal change on Whidbey Island, Washington

Video cameras installed by the USGS Remote Sensing Coastal Change project overlook the coast on Whidbey Island, Washington, about 25 miles north of...

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Science and Products

link
Photos of black mangrove freeze damage (upper and middle photos), recovery (middle photos) and resistance (lower photos)

Habitat Vulnerability to Climate Change: Identifying Climate Change Induced Mass Mortality Events Across Large Landscapes of the United States

USGS researchers will characterize extreme climatic events across U.S. following a review of case studies of mass mortality events associated with climate extremes including drought, precipitation, freeze, heat waves, and storm events.
By
California Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Habitat Vulnerability to Climate Change: Identifying Climate Change Induced Mass Mortality Events Across Large Landscapes of the United States

USGS researchers will characterize extreme climatic events across U.S. following a review of case studies of mass mortality events associated with climate extremes including drought, precipitation, freeze, heat waves, and storm events.
Learn More
link
High coastal arctic bluff with broken chunks, some that are ready to fall into the crashing waves, and some that have fallen.

Coastal Climate Impacts

The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise around the Pacific and Arctic Oceans can vary tremendously. Thus far the vast majority of national and international impact assessments and models of coastal climate change have focused on low-relief coastlines that are not near seismically active zones. Furthermore, the degree to which extreme waves and wind will add further stress to coastal...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Coastal Climate Impacts

The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise around the Pacific and Arctic Oceans can vary tremendously. Thus far the vast majority of national and international impact assessments and models of coastal climate change have focused on low-relief coastlines that are not near seismically active zones. Furthermore, the degree to which extreme waves and wind will add further stress to coastal...
Learn More
link
Aerial photograph of a wetland area, with waterways, islands, peninsulas, and a town visible.

Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound

A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Washington Water Science Center
link

Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound

A Pacific Northwest icon, Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the United States. Its unique geology, climate, and nutrient-rich waters produce and sustain biologically productive coastal habitats. These same natural characteristics also contribute to a high quality of life that has led to growth in human population and urbanization. This growth has played a role in degrading the Sound...
Learn More
link
Satellite image of study area, showing forests, a bay or inlet, and estuaries and rivers.

PS-CoSMoS: Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System

The CoSMoS model is currently available for most of the California coast and is now being expanded to support the 4.5 million coastal residents of the Puget Sound region, with emphasis on the communities bordering the sound.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PS-CoSMoS: Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System

The CoSMoS model is currently available for most of the California coast and is now being expanded to support the 4.5 million coastal residents of the Puget Sound region, with emphasis on the communities bordering the sound.
Learn More
link
Beach seine Bainbridge Island

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystems Science

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystem Science (PES) supports interdisciplinary ecological research in the Puget Sound, Washington, watershed and nearshore.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystems Science

Puget Sound Priority Ecosystem Science (PES) supports interdisciplinary ecological research in the Puget Sound, Washington, watershed and nearshore.
Learn More
link
Illustration showing an oblique view of the Puget Sound watershed.

Estuaries and large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest

Essential habitat for wild salmon and other wildlife borders river deltas and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These estuaries also support industry, agriculture, and a large human population that’s expected to double by the year 2060, but each could suffer from more severe river floods, higher sea level, and storm surges caused by climate change.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Estuaries and large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest

Essential habitat for wild salmon and other wildlife borders river deltas and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest. These estuaries also support industry, agriculture, and a large human population that’s expected to double by the year 2060, but each could suffer from more severe river floods, higher sea level, and storm surges caused by climate change.
Learn More
link
View from up high above a flat beach area lots of rocks and boulders, very little wave action.

Using Video Imagery to Study Coastal Change: Whidbey Island

From May of 2018 through November of 2019, USGS scientists collected imagery from video cameras overlooking the coast along a beach on Whidbey Island, Island County at the northern boundary of Puget Sound in western Washington.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Using Video Imagery to Study Coastal Change: Whidbey Island

From May of 2018 through November of 2019, USGS scientists collected imagery from video cameras overlooking the coast along a beach on Whidbey Island, Island County at the northern boundary of Puget Sound in western Washington.
Learn More
link
Person walking through tall grasses in marsh landscape, carrying field equipment of their shoulder

Assessing the Benefits and Vulnerability of Current and Future Potential Ecosystem Services of the Nisqually River Delta and other Puget Sound Estuaries

The Nisqually River Delta represents the largest wetland restoration in the Pacific Northwest. The restoration resulted in a 50% increase in potential salt marsh habitat. The Delta supports threatened salmon fisheries, large populations of migratory birds, and provides unique opportunities for recreation. The Delta also provides multiple ecosystem services, which are the benefits that wildlife or
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Assessing the Benefits and Vulnerability of Current and Future Potential Ecosystem Services of the Nisqually River Delta and other Puget Sound Estuaries

The Nisqually River Delta represents the largest wetland restoration in the Pacific Northwest. The restoration resulted in a 50% increase in potential salt marsh habitat. The Delta supports threatened salmon fisheries, large populations of migratory birds, and provides unique opportunities for recreation. The Delta also provides multiple ecosystem services, which are the benefits that wildlife or
Learn More
link
Graphic of waves breaking at the ocean surface with lettering below it for the coastal storm modeling system.

PS-CoSMoS FAQs

Puget Sound - Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) frequently asked questions

link

PS-CoSMoS FAQs

Puget Sound - Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) frequently asked questions

Learn More
link
Tidal marsh, Pacific Northwest

Understanding the Interactions Between Human Health, Environment, and Climate in Salish Sea Communities

The overarching project goal was to develop overlapping conceptual models of environmental and community health indicators in reference to climate forecasts. The sensitivity of species and habitats to climate was cross-walked with recently developed Coast Salish community health indicators (e.g., ceremonial use, knowledge exchange, and physiological well-being) in order to demonstrate how Indigeno
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Climate Adaptation Science Centers
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Understanding the Interactions Between Human Health, Environment, and Climate in Salish Sea Communities

The overarching project goal was to develop overlapping conceptual models of environmental and community health indicators in reference to climate forecasts. The sensitivity of species and habitats to climate was cross-walked with recently developed Coast Salish community health indicators (e.g., ceremonial use, knowledge exchange, and physiological well-being) in order to demonstrate how Indigeno
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Filter Total Items: 25

Data collected in 2009-2012 to assess benthic macroinvertebrate response to dike removal on the Nisqually River delta

Macroinvertebrate and environmental data were collected annually in July-August in the year before dike removal (2009) and the first three years after dike removal (2010-2012) at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, U.S.A. Data were collected along a gradient extending from the inner marsh edge to the delta front and spanning different types of habitat including marsh restored to tidal inundatio
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Western Fisheries Research Center

Future coastal groundwater hazards in the Puget Sound region, Washington, U.S.A.

This data release contains model results for groundwater response to sea-level rise (SLR) in coastal areas around Puget Sound, Washington. The high resolution (50m) models predict steady-state unconfined groundwater heads under long-term (17y) average recharge conditions, with spatially variable hydraulic conductivities (Ks) from published models, and include model runs with Ks increased and decre
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Salish Sea Hydrodynamic Model

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the Salish Sea was constructed using the Delft3D Flexible Mesh Suite (Deltares, 2020) to simulate still water levels in the past and future and evaluate extreme recurrence water level events accounting for sea level rise and climate change. Three sets of model simulations were performed following Grossman and others (2023). The first simulated the water year
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Wave observations from bottom-mounted pressure sensors along the West side of Whidbey Island, Washington from Dec 2018 to Jan 2020

Continuous water level measurements were made at 8 sites along a gradient in wave exposure on west Whidbey Island, Western Washington to characterize the wave climate and validate models of wave propagation.
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal hazards assessment associated with sea level rise and storms along the Whatcom County, Northwest Washington State coast

This product contains several datasets that map exposure to future forecasted hazards related to coastal flooding and extreme wave heights accounting for sea level rise (SLR) and climate change along the Whatcom County coast of northwestern Washington State in the Salish Sea. The SLR scenarios encompass a plausible range of projections by 2100 based on the best available science and storms account
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Model input and projections of compound floodwater depths for the lower Nooksack River and delta, western Washington State

Model input and computed flood depths associated with the combined influence of sea level position, tides, storm surge, and streamflow under existing conditions and projected future higher sea level and peak stream runoff are provided for the lower (Reach 1) of the Nooksack River and delta in Whatcom County, western Washington State. The flood-depth projection data are provided in a series of rast
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Oceanographic and water-quality measurements collected in Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA, 2019 to 2021

Bottom-landing and floating platforms with instrumentation to measure currents, waves, water level, optical turbidity, water temperature, and conductivity were deployed at four locations in Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA. Platforms were deployed during three separate periods: July 30, 2019-November 14, 2019; November 19, 2019-February 5, 2020; and January 22, 2021-April 13, 2021. Additionally, wa
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Geochemistry of surface sediment and sediment cores in Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, in February 2020

Geochemical data are reported for surface sediments and long sediment cores from Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, collected in early February 2020 after flood conditions on the Nooksack River. Data include total organic carbon content (TOC), carbonate content (CaCO3), ratios of stable carbon 13/12 isotopes (d13C), ratios of total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N), short-lived cosmogenic ra
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington

This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs from modeling habitat change, marsh vertical accretion, and carbon accumulation in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. These rasters represent projections of future habitat type, change in surface elevation above Mean Sea Level, and total sediment carbon accumulation since 2011 in coastal wetland habitats. Projections were generated in 20-yea
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Western Geographic Science Center

Time-series measurements of pressure, conductivity, temperature, and water level collected in Puget Sound and Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA, 2018 to 2021

Pressure, conductivity, temperature, and water level relative the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) were measured at seven locations in Puget Sound and Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA, from November 2, 2018 to June 4, 2021. These data were collected using submersible pressure-conductivity-temperature sensors mounted on piers to support studies of extreme water levels and flooding haza
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Eelgrass distributions and bathymetry of Bellingham Bay, Washington, 2019

This data release presents eelgrass distributions and bathymetry data derived from acoustic surveys of Bellingham Bay, Washington. Survey operations were conducted between February 16 and February 21, 2019 (USGS Field Activity Number 2019-606-FA) by a team of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center and Washington State Department of Ecology. Eelgrass an
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Aerial imagery and structure-from-motion data products from UAS survey of the intertidal zone at Lone Tree Point, Kiket Bay, WA, June 2019

An unmanned aerial system (UAS) was used to acquire high-resolution imagery of the intertidal zone at Lone Tree Point, Kiket Bay, Washington on June 5, 2019. This imagery was processed using structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric techniques to derive a high-resolution digital surface model (DSM), orthomosaic imagery, and topographic point clouds. In order to maximize the extent of the suba
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Wet sand on a beach has a little shallow water with rocks and boulders, coastal cliffs in background.
Beach on Whidbey Island
Beach on Whidbey Island
Wet sand on a beach has a little shallow water with rocks and boulders, coastal cliffs in background.

Beach on Whidbey Island

Beach on Whidbey Island

View of beach on Whidbey Island, looking north.

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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Wet sand on a beach has a little shallow water with rocks and boulders, coastal cliffs in background.

Beach on Whidbey Island

Beach on Whidbey Island

View of beach on Whidbey Island, looking north.

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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Filter Total Items: 43

Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient

Benthic invertebrates play vital roles in estuarine ecosystems, but like other taxa they have been excluded from former marshlands by diking and land use conversion. Dike removal is one way of restoring marsh, but the response of benthic invertebrates has been little studied. Also understudied is variation in benthic invertebrate communities across entire deltas, particularly in the Pacific Northw
Authors
Stephen P. Rubin, Melanie J. Davis, Eric E. Grossman, Isa Woo, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Glynnis Nakai, John Y. Takekawa
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Vulnerability to sea-level rise varies among estuaries and habitat types: Lessons learned from a network of surface elevation tables in Puget Sound

Estuarine systems that provide valuable ecosystem services to society and important foraging and rearing habitat for fish and wildlife species continue to undergo degradation. In Puget Sound, WA, as much as 70–80% of historic estuarine habitat has been lost to anthropogenic development, and continued losses are expected through the end of the twenty-first century due to rising sea levels. To evalu
Authors
Melanie J. Davis, Katrina L. Poppe, John M. Rybczyk, Eric E. Grossman, Isa Woo, Joshua W. Chamberlin, Michelle Totman, Todd Zackey, Frank Leonetti, Suzanne Shull, Susan E. W. De La Cruz
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Dynamic modeling of coastal compound flooding hazards due to tides, extratropical storms, waves, and sea-level rise: A case study in the Salish Sea, Washington (USA)

The Puget Sound Coastal Storm Modeling System (PS-CoSMoS) is a tool designed to dynamically downscale future climate scenarios (i.e., projected changes in wind and pressure fields and temperature) to compute regional water levels, waves, and compound flooding over large geographic areas (100 s of kilometers) at high spatial resolutions (1 m) pertinent to coastal hazard assessments and planning. Th
Authors
Kees Nederhoff, Sean C. Crosby, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Eric E. Grossman, Babak Tehranirad, T. Leijnse, W. Klessens, Patrick L. Barnard
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Modeling extreme water levels in the Salish Sea: The importance of including remote sea level anomalies for application in hydrodynamic simulations

Extreme water-level recurrence estimates for a complex estuary using a high-resolution 2D model and a new method for estimating remotely generated sea level anomalies (SLAs) at the model boundary have been developed. The hydrodynamic model accurately resolves the dominant physical processes contributing to extreme water levels across the Washington State waters of the Salish Sea, including the rel
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Babak Tehranirad, Kees Nederhoff, Sean Crosby, Andrew W. Stevens, Nathan R. VanArendonk, Daniel J. Nowacki, Li H. Erikson, Patrick L. Barnard
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Compound flood model for the lower Nooksack River and delta, western Washington—Assessment of vulnerability and nature-based adaptation opportunities to mitigate higher sea level and stream flooding

Higher sea level and stream runoff associated with climate change is expected to lead to greater lowland flooding across the Pacific Northwest. Increases in stream runoff that range from 20 to 32 percent by the 2040s and from 52 to 72 percent by the 2080s is expected to steadily increase flood risk. Flood risk is also expected to increase in response to the landward shift in high tides and storm s
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Cornelis M. Nederhoff
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Fluvial delivery and wave resuspension of sediment in a sheltered, urbanized Pacific Northwest estuary

The sequence and timing of sediment delivery and redistribution in coastal systems is important for shoreline stability, ecosystem services, and remediation planning. In temperate estuaries, understanding the role of fluvial sediment delivery and dispersal relative to wind and wave remobilization processes is particularly important to address the fate of contaminants, many of which adsorb to fine
Authors
Daniel J. Nowacki, Andrew W. Stevens, Renee K. Takesue, Eric E. Grossman
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Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Efficient modeling of wave generation and propagation in a semi-enclosed estuary

Accurate, and high-resolution wave statistics are critical for regional hazard mapping and planning. However, long-term simulations at high spatial resolution are often computationally prohibitive. Here, multiple rapid frameworks including fetch-limited, look-up-table (LUT), and linear propagation are combined and tested in a large estuary exposed to both remotely (swell) and locally generated wav
Authors
Sean C. Crosby, Cornelis M. Nederhoff, Nathan R. VanArendonk, Eric E. Grossman
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Assessment of vulnerabilities and opportunities to restore marsh sediment supply at Nisqually River Delta, west-central Washington

A cascading set of hazards to coastal environments is intimately tied to sediment transport and includes the flooding and erosion of shorelines and habitats that support communities, industry, infrastructure, and ecosystem functions (for example, habitats critical to fisheries). This report summarizes modeling and measurement data used to evaluate the sediment budget of the Nisqually River Delta,
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Sean C. Crosby, Andrew W. Stevens, Daniel J. Nowacki, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Christopher A. Curran
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary

Sea-level rise (SLR) and obstructions to sediment delivery pose challenges to the persistence of estuarine habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Restoration actions and sediment management strategies may help mitigate such challenges by encouraging the vertical accretion of sediment in and horizontal migration of tidal forests and marshes. We used a process-based soil accretion model (
Authors
Monica Mei Jeen Moritsch, Kristin B. Byrd, Melanie J. Davis, Anthony J. Good, Judith Z. Drexler, James T. Morris, Isa Woo, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Eric E. Grossman, Glynnis Nakai, Katrina L. Poppe, John M. Rybczyk
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Science and Decisions Center, California Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center

Long-term changes in kelp forests in an inner basin of the Salish Sea

Kelp forests form an important biogenic habitat that responds to natural and human drivers. Global concerns exist about threats to kelp forests, yet long-term information is limited and research suggests that trends are geographically distinct. We examined distribution of the bull kelp Nereocystis luetkeana over 145 years in South Puget Sound (SPS), a semi-protected inner basin in a fjord estuary
Authors
H.D. Berry, T.F. Mumford, M. Calloway, L. Ferrier, B. Christiaen, Nathan R. vanArendonk, Eric E. Grossman, P. Dowty
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nearshore water quality and coral health indicators along the west coast of the Island of Hawaiʻi, 2010–2014

Coral reefs worldwide are experiencing rapid degradation in response to climate and land-use change, namely effects of warming sea-surface temperatures, contaminant runoff, and overfishing. Extensive coral bleaching caused by the steady rise of sea-surface temperatures is projected to increase, but our understanding and ability to predict where corals may be most resilient to this effect is limite
Authors
Eric E. Grossman, Lisa Marrack, Nathan R. vanArendonk
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Process-based models and studies of coastal change to inform habitat restoration and climate change adaptation

Puget Sound salmon and estuary recovery strategies identify tens of thousands of acres of floodplain and estuary habitat restoration needed to re-establish ecosystem functions lost or degraded from western land use (Simenstad et al., 2011); the extent for nearshore habitat remains uncertain. Sediment is critical for shaping the structure and functions of these ecosystems and the success of many ha
Authors
Eric E. Grossman
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Benthic Invertebrate Response to Estuarine Marsh Restoration at the Nisqually River Delta

Benthic Invertebrate Response to Estuarine Marsh Restoration at the Nisqually River Delta

New research from the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluates the response of benthic invertebrates to the largest...

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USGS-led Study: Sediment Management is Key to Preserving Puget Sound's Estuarine Habitats

USGS-led Study: Sediment Management is Key to Preserving Puget Sound's Estuarine Habitats

Rising sea levels and ongoing anthropogenic development continue to threaten estuaries worldwide. New research conducted by USGS alongside state...

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Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Three new studies from USGS and partners use an advanced coastal-storm modeling system to deliver fine-scale projections of wave behavior, flood...

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PCMSC Scientists Among USGS Contributors to National Climate Assessment

PCMSC Scientists Among USGS Contributors to National Climate Assessment

Scientists from the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) are among dozens of USGS contributors to the Fifth National Climate Assessment...

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New Models Show Restoration Can Benefit Salmon While Reducing Flood Risks to Pacific Northwest River Deltas

New Models Show Restoration Can Benefit Salmon While Reducing Flood Risks to Pacific Northwest River Deltas

Large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest—low-lying and already flood-prone—face a future marked by increasingly frequent and intense flooding as...

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Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

New, integrated, multidisciplinary studies from USGS and partners characterize the importance of sediment supply to coastal resilience and ecosystem...

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Video cameras monitor coastal change on Whidbey Island, Washington

Video cameras monitor coastal change on Whidbey Island, Washington

Video cameras installed by the USGS Remote Sensing Coastal Change project overlook the coast on Whidbey Island, Washington, about 25 miles north of...

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