High Resolution Modeling of Coastal Inundation: User Requirements and Current Practice, a Navy Perspective

The impact of coastal flooding and inundation on Navy operational missions and the existing Navy requirements for resolution and accuracy relevant to coastal inundation are presented. High resolution (less than 500 m) coastal models exercised operationally at the Naval Oceanographic Office are reviewed, summarizing the advantages, disadvantages and typical spatial resolutions of each. The present state of Navy coastal inundation modeling from a research and development perspective is presented along with highlights of planned advances in the near-future. Lastly, the gaps between users, products, data and research and development are illuminated. Fine-scale bathymetry and topography as well as in situ currents for validation are required for accurate, high resolution inundation modeling. Gaps between the needs of Navy users and the type and form of operationally available inundation products are identified and discussed. The need for usability, relocateability, and expediency in the operational setting contribute in large part to the delay in transitioning model capabilities from research and development to operations.