Importance and Implementation of a Tide Gauge Network …mtshamptonroads.org/mtshr/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/07... · 2014-06-12 · Importance and Implementation of a Tide Gauge

Importance and Implementation of a Tide Gauge Network in Coastal Plains

Seshadri Iyer Ph.D., PE, CFM (URS)Jeff Waller, PE(City of Virginia Beach)

TechSurge on Technical Support for

Coastal Resiliency

June 3, 2014

Introduction

• Coastal plains are defined by water– Ocean– Bay– Rivers/Creeks– Lakes

• Threatened by hurricanes, nor’easters,

severe rainfall events, wind driven tidal flooding, and sea-level rise!

Introduction

• As a first step in monitoring weather impacts:– Last year the City of Virginia Beach

implemented a network of rain gauge stations consisting of 14 rain gauges

IntranetWebsite Map

Data in XConnect Software

Data Transferred to Excel Spreadsheet

Graphof Data

Tide Gauge Network

• As a next step in monitoring weather impacts:– The City of Virginia Beach has initiated design

of eleven (11) tide gauge network stations.

• Install at each of the major water bodies;• Install at major creek/river crossings for

primary evacuation routes.

Tide Gauge Network

Tide Gauge Locations with Added Sensors

Components of a Tide Gauge Station

• Water LevelSensor

Components of a Tide Gauge Station

Structure

Data-Data-Data

Wind Speed/Direction Temperature

Barometric Pressure

Relative Humidity

Importance of Tide Gauge Network

Importance of Tide Gauge Network

• Current PW Standards & Specification Manual provides designers with

Importance of Tide Gauge Network

• Monitoring tide level helps: – to shape future infrastructure development

guidelines, – the establishment of safe evacuation routes, – better coordination of storm alerts.– with the availability of real-time data, the City can

better respond in times of emergencies and better inform the concerned Citizens.

– over time, will be able to predict and assist in recovery efforts and reduce property losses.

Concluding Remarks

• Preliminary engineering is complete• Site survey and establishment of benchmark

monuments are complete• Geotechnical borings are completed• Structural drawings are being finalized• Summer of 2014 construction begins

Questions & Answers