U.S. National Park Service Sea Level Rise Viewer: Natural resource report

Wilder, Douglas; Jandar, Andrew; Caffrey, Maria; Lestak, Leanne; Manley, William

Areas of potential future inundation due to sea level rise, as examined in a recent report (Caffrey et al. 2018), are displayed in a new NPS Sea Level Rise Viewer web mapping application to allow comparison between modeled scenarios and current aerial imagery. Low-lying areas that may flood and National Park unit boundaries are also displayed. The Sea Level Rise Viewer, utilizing a vector tile service, displays a dataset (Caffrey et al. 2015) generated from geospatial analysis of gridded sea level rise estimates, tidal data, and digital elevation models. In addition to standard web map tools, "swipe" and "spy glass" tools may be used to compare data at different scales. The transparency of modeled data can be adjusted to facilitate data exploration. The interface includes a tour and information buttons to facilitate user orientation. The NPS units and their surrounding areas were modeled with the best available elevation data for that unit (Caffrey et al. 2015). Model accuracy varies by source elevation model. National Park units in Alaska are not included due to uncertainties associated with lower resolution digital elevation models. Modeled results do not display beyond 1:500 scale. Model results display over aerial imagery and may appear to cover raised structures. Model result edges retain original raster modeling and appear blocky; no cartographic smoothing is applied. The mean higher high water used in modeling may not align with shorelines depicted in the aerial imagery due to varying image vintage. Levee-protected areas around New Orleans are included in the model results, however protected areas are blocked (masked) in the map display. Model updates or additional data may be added to the web map as they become available to improve presentation of modeled data.

U.S. National Park Service Sea Level Rise Viewer: Natural resource report

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