25 Feb 2026

AIS Analysis of Waterway Utilization Based on Vessel Type and Class

Abstract: The purpose of this technical note (TN) is to provide an overview of a method used to classify waterway segments based on remotely-sensed vessel traffic on those waterway segments. Vessel traffic was evaluated using data from Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcasts, which originate at transceivers onboard vessels and can be received by terrestrial shore sites or satellites. AIS is used by most ocean-going commercial vessels, while use by inland vessels varies according to domestic regulations.

20 Feb 2026

Overview of the Coastal Storm Model Development and Results for the Deer Island Restoration Study Using the Engineering With Nature® Toolkit

Abstract: The Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center presents this study as a comprehensive numerical model development and validation approach that can be employed to simulate winds, waves, and water levels during significant storm events for the Deer Island Restoration Project in Mississippi. Leveraging validated storms from the South Atlantic Coastal Study, this research utilized the Coastal Storm Modeling System with the coupled Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) and Steady-State Spectral Wave (STWAVE) models. As part of this effort, the ADCIRC mesh was updated to encompass the Deer Island region and two variations on elevated water level scenarios were incorporated. Specifically, 10 validated storms were simulated, with varying sea-level conditions, to represent a range of feasibility-level proxy events from a 1- to 10,000-year annual exceedance frequency. The modeling outcomes provide a detailed depiction of water levels, wave heights, and storm surge impacts on Deer Island under different sea-level rise scenarios. These results offer critical insights into the potential effects of the restoration project on Deer Island and the surrounding areas. The findings can inform decision-makers and contribute to formulating effective guidelines for restoration projects within the Mississippi region and in coastal areas facing similar challenges worldwide.

18 Feb 2026

Mesh Convergence Study of Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) Version 5.9

Abstract: This report details performance and convergence tests of the Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) v5.9 software suite on the Engineer Research and Development Center ONYX Cray X40/50 supercomputer. In particular, the performance of a recently developed monolithic model coupling AdH framework between the Richards equation for variable groundwater and surface water flows or for overland sloped conditions is studied. The effort is part of a quality assurance test of a recently restructured version of AdH. The report also includes a scalability analysis of AdH on a Cray system.

17 Feb 2026

Advancing Multi-Scale Wave Modeling: Global and Coastal Applications During the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Abstract: Using the six-month hurricane season of 2022 as a case study and the spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III, this effort shows that wave parameters produced via a variable-resolution global mesh (5–30 km) agree with a diverse array of validating observational datasets at a level comparable to that of a constant-resolution mesh (3 km) that is six times more costly to run. The optimized variable-resolution, unstructured triangular mesh is faithful to land geometry and wave transformation gradients while relaxing focus in deeper regions where gradients are typically less pronounced. Wave parameters measured via satellite altimetry, stationary buoy networks, and drifting buoys are employed to demonstrate not only a substantial increase in performance over a coarse, constant-resolution grid (40 km), with RMSE reduced from 0.28 m to 0.14 m and Correlation Coefficient (CC) improved from 0.92 to 0.98 overall, but also a comparable level of performance to that of a mesh that has undergone a full convergence analysis. Performance comparisons isolated to shallow regions and near cyclonic storms highlight the importance of resolving relevant geometries. For nearshore data, RMSE improves from 0.29 m to 0.13 m and CC from 0.89 to 0.98; in shallow regions, RMSE from 0.29 m to 0.15 m and CC from 0.88 to 0.97; and under cyclonic conditions, RMSE from 0.62 m to 0.35 m and CC from 0.93 to 0.98. Wave model results using the variable-resolution mesh were further analyzed to provide a detailed summary of the wave climate, including wind-wave and swell partitions, over the six-month study period in the study area.

13 Feb 2026

Standalone Color-Based Bathymetry Over 10 Years at Duck (NC, USA) from Optical Satellite Imagery and Wave Breaking Analysis

Abstract: Coastal hazard forecasting and morphological modeling rely on having accurate and up-to-date nearshore bathymetry. Traditional methods provide high precision but are expensive, complex to deploy, and only cover limited areas, leaving many coastal regions unmapped or under surveyed. In this context, Satellite-Derived Bathymetry provides a more accessible and scalable alternative, enabling frequent and global observations of the nearshore zone. This study applies the color-based log-band ratio method to extract nearshore bathymetry at Duck, North Carolina, a highly dynamic environment with a wide range of turbidity values and wave breaking extents. The log-band ratio method is an empirical approach for estimating shallow-water depths from multispectral satellite imagery which relies on the natural attenuation of light in water column, where the ratio of two spectral bands is logarithmically related to water depth. Unlike traditional SDB approaches, this method relies only on nearshore in situ wave height data, using satellite-detected breaking positions and breaker height-to-depth ratio as depth calibration points. Additionally, an automated approach is used to select images where the green/blue band penetrates sufficiently into the water to retrieve bathymetry avoiding the subjectivity of traditional manual selection. The method is validated through alongshore median- and profile-based assessments, yielding a median RMSE of ∼60 cm. Sensitivity tests on key parameters, including the breaker height-to-depth ratio and the calibration time window, demonstrate that a constant breaker height-to-depth ratio provides reliable results and that a significant number of calibration points is necessary for accurate bathymetry retrieval. This approach retrieves instant bathymetries and allows for the extraction of bathymetry evolution over time, with 90 bathymetry maps available over the 10-year period due to the very high resolution and 2-day revisit VEN𝜇S satellite and the 10-m/5-day Sentinel-2 mission. The method is transferable to other optical satellites such as Landsat, although it should be applied with caution, enabling long-term nearshore bathymetry monitoring from the 1980s to the present.

12 Feb 2026

Numerical Study of Submergence-Induced Forces on a Maintenance Bridge

Abstract: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center–Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory conducted a numerical study for a proposed maintenance bridge over the Trinity River in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, that will be submerged in flood conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the hydrodynamic loads on the structure. The study found that, due to a combination of peak velocities and water depth, a return period of 500 yr generates the largest drag forces, while the higher depth and discharge of the standard project flood generate larger lift forces. Two flow structures were observed with shallow submergence: The first resulted in a jet parallel to the deck with a recirculation extending from railing to railing and the second resulted in a plunging jet over the deck with smaller but stronger recirculation. These patterns resulted in significantly different loads on the structure. The study analyzed the bridge’s deck slope to the flow as a possible variable affecting the loads. Observed changes related mostly to the flow pattern predicted for different flow configurations. Finally, it was observed that an open railing provides the best possible conditions in terms of loading; therefore, minimizing the frontal area of the railing is recommended.

12 Feb 2026

The Acoustic-Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP): A Comprehensive Tool for River Hydromorphodynamics Monitoring

Abstract: This paper introduces the use of acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements as input for the Acoustic Mapping Velocimetry (AMV) method, a technique for characterizing the dynamics of riverine bedforms. The performance of this new approach, ADCP-AMV, is compared with input from a multibeam echosounder through a field study conducted on the Mississippi River (USA). A virtual ADCP tool has been created to support the ADCP-AMV measurements with optimal data density predictions. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time ADCP measurements have been used in conjunction with the AMV dune-tracking method. Subsequently, the paper discusses the coupling of ADCP-AMV measurements with ancillary data extracted from the ADCP. These ancillary data are processed using previously developed protocols to characterize hydrodynamics and the suspended sediment distribution in the water column. This paper emphasizes the capability of ADCPs to characterize open-channel river hydromorphodynamic parameters with high spatiotemporal resolution. Recommendations to accurately and efficiently acquire these multi-variable measurements and derived datasets are discussed.

10 Feb 2026

Sustainable Dredged Material Management on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers to Achieve Multiple Benefits

Abstract: This technical report showcases the sustainable dredge material management practices by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. Over the years, USACE Huntington District (LRH) has continually adapted their navigation operations, dredge maintenance activities, and sediment beneficial use processes in response to changing local and regional hydrodynamic conditions, the results from monitoring, and proactive stakeholder engagement. This report highlights three project sites—Bonanza Bar and R. C. Byrd Locks and Dam on the Ohio River and Winfield Locks and Dam on the Kanawha River—that exemplify sustainable dredge practices consistent with Engineering With Nature® principles. By implementing these best practices, LRH has established a more sustainable dredging program that generates economic, environmental, and social benefits beyond the mere removal of sediment from the federal navigation channel. These innovative practices have successfully achieved multiple benefits while executing USACE’s navigation mission. The data and lessons learned from these projects can be applied to other riverine projects aiming to use sediment beneficially, enhance the development of USACE sustainable dredging practices, and inspire future projects.

5 Feb 2026

GeoClimate Intelligence Platform: A Web-Based Framework for Environmental Data Analysis

Abstract: Environmental science education faces a critical barrier: programming requirements prevent students, novice researchers, and domain experts from accessing planetary-scale datasets. This study presents the GeoClimate Intelligence Platform, a web-based framework powered by Google Earth Engine (GEE) that eliminates programming barriers while maintaining research-grade analytical capabilities. The platform comprises five integrated modules: GeoData Explorer for climate dataset access, Climate Analytics implementing 20+ ETCCDI-compliant climate indices, Hydrology Analyzer for precipitation analysis and return periods, Product Selector for dataset validation, and Data Visualizer for interactive analysis. This modular design supports integrated workflows while maintaining analytical independence across specialized functions. Development was motivated by workshops where students found programming barriers insurmountable despite strong motivation. Educational validation through university coursework demonstrated effectiveness. Performance evaluation shows robust scalability from educational to research-scale applications. The platform requires only a GEE account and operates through web browsers, eliminating software installation. This accessibility transformation enables broader participation in data-driven environmental problem-solving with scientific rigor, democratizing sophisticated environmental analysis for educational and research communities.

5 Feb 2026

Upscaling Nature-Based Solutions for Reducing Risk from Natural Hazards: From Process to Practice

Abstract: Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer an innovative approach to reducing risks from natural hazards, aligning ecological processes with engineering objectives. However, successfully scaling NbS from site-specific interventions to systems-level applications remains a challenge. This paper examines an Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) case study to explore how NbS can be integrated into broader, systems-based engineering practices, demonstrating the transition from conceptual design to wide-scale, regional implementation. One such case study is Deer Island, located off the coast of Mississippi, USA, where EWN approaches stabilized shorelines and restored critical habitats. The project utilized natural sediment transport processes to rebuild marsh and dune systems, enhancing the island’s resilience to storm surges and erosion. Through careful integration of natural and engineered systems, Deer Island serves as a model for how NbS can mitigate risks at both local and regional scales, increasing the ability to recover from a natural disaster and overall ecological health. In particular, the case study highlights the benefit of designing for multiple integrated ecosystem components to deliver a diverse array of ecological functions, goods, and services. The paper further underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting the role of landscape architects in creating multifunctional designs that incorporate natural features and processes. These designs enhance ecosystem services while addressing societal needs, providing a blueprint for how when combined landscape architecture, science, and engineering can synergize in NbS projects. By synthesizing lessons from the EWN and emphasizing the need for cross-sector collaboration, this paper outlines pathways to scale NbS from localized efforts to comprehensive strategies that reduce coastal storm risk.