27 May 2026

Multi-Temporal Geomorphic Change and Application of the Coastal Engineering Resilience Index Along the Mississippi Mainland Beaches and Dunes

Abstract: This report addresses the Mobile District’s request for a representative resilient beach and dune profile for the Mississippi mainland beach and dune project. The report summarizes a workflow that uses a custom ArcGIS Pro toolbox and 10 lidar datasets spanning a 22-year period of analysis. The workflow involves (1) lidar data compilation; (2) the extraction of geomorphic features, such as shorelines and dune toes and crests, on over 5,800 profiles along the Mississippi mainland coast; (3) the calculation of Coastal Engineering Resilience Index values for each transect for each lidar dataset; (4) selection of representative resilient profiles for various datasets; (5) development of synthetic profiles and Coastal Engineering Resilience Index (CERI) calculations on those profiles; and (6) data delivery and the development of a Web service hosting the project outcomes. The results of these analyses indicate that the protective width (i.e., from the shoreline to the seawall along the coast) is a major contributor to the resilience of a given section of beach. However, the resilience of these estuarine beaches can also be enhanced by increasing protective elevation. Overall, the work demonstrates the value of applying these workflows and toolboxes during the engineering planning and design phase.

18 May 2026

Workflow to Build Space-Time Cubes in ArcGIS Pro with High-Resolution Elevation Data

Abstract: This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) presents a workflow to build space-time cubes (STCs) using high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs). The workflow leverages ArcGIS Pro’s mosaic dataset architecture and multidimensional tools to analyze temporal changes across elevation datasets. This workflow is intended to (1) guide users who may not be familiar with STCs through a step-by-step workflow, (2) share a set of best practices, and (3) highlight considerations when using remotely sensed elevation datasets. This CHETN is a part of a larger effort to develop the next generation of volume change tools for application in the coastal environment.

24 Apr 2026

Conceptual Sediment Budget Creation Using CorpsCam Imagery: Holland Harbor, Michigan

Abstract: This Regional Sediment Management (RSM) technical note (TN) discusses the development of a conceptual sediment budget at Holland Harbor, Michigan, using CorpsCam imagery. Imagery from May 2020 through October 2021 was analyzed to calculate volume change along Ottawa Beach, just north of the entrance to Holland Harbor. Shoaling rates and longshore sediment transport rates were calculated to supplement the beach volume change rates, with a sediment budget developed as the final product. This is a companion piece to the ERDC/TN RSM-26-1, Conceptual Sediment Budget Creation Using CorpsCam Imagery: Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia.

24 Apr 2026

Conceptual Sediment Budget Creation Using CorpsCam Imagery: Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia

Abstract: This Regional Sediment Management technical note (RSM TN) discusses the development of a conceptual sediment budget at Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia, using CorpsCam imagery. Analysis of imagery collected between September 2022 and July 2024 is used to calculate the volume change along the beaches adjacent to the inlet. The final budget incorporates shoaling change rates and estimated longshore-sediment transport rates. This is a companion piece to the ERDC/TN RSM-26-2 Conceptual Sediment Budget Creation Using CorpsCam Imagery: Holland, Michigan.

20 Aug 2025

SandSnap Filtering Techniques

Abstract: The aim of this Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory Special Report is to elucidate the new SandSnap image filters. These SandSnap filters distinguish between high-quality and poor-quality images and enhance accuracy in high-quality images. To achieve this goal, a dataset of 5,000 photos was created and curated for this endeavor. Images were collected that had varying levels of focus, sedimentological conditions, foreign objects present, distances from the sediment bed, coin types, and geographic locations. This dataset was used to train multiple quality control check models and uncover beneficial correlations. Additionally, an existing dataset of high-quality images was analyzed using various filtering techniques to highlight key features, leading to higher-accuracy scores. Using the findings from both the high-quality and poor-quality datasets, SandSnap was updated to increase usability and efficiently identify images that may lead to poor results. This ensures that user results can be calculated in less than a minute, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining a fast and responsive model.

4 Apr 2025

Living Shoreline in USACE Projects: A Review

Abstract: The term living shoreline (LS) refers to the practice of shoreline stabilization using natural elements (e.g., vegetation, oysters, logs, etc.) in a way that maintains continuity and connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. This report provides a review of LS practices to assess the applicability of these engineering techniques for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. Specifically, this review examines the current state of knowledge regarding LS efforts through evaluation of peer-reviewed literature, agency reports, web tools, applications, and relevant guidance. It is important to gain a deeper understanding of the potential ecological, engineering, environmental, and socioeconomic benefits in comparison with traditional gray infrastructure shoreline stabilization techniques. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) encourages the use of LS as a shoreline stabilization technique along sheltered coasts (i.e., coasts not exposed to open ocean wave energy) to preserve and improve habitats and maintain their ecosystem services at the land–water interface. Research has examined aspects of LSs, but there are relevant knowledge gaps yet to be explored. Overall, there is a lot of information from different sources on LSs with limited application to USACE projects. Therefore, a consolidated planning and design consideration report specific to USACE is recommended.

21 Jan 2025

Engineering With Nature: Natural Infrastructure for Mission Readiness at U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Installations

Abstract: This book illustrates some of the current challenges and hazards experienced by military installations, and the content highlights activities at eight U.S. Navy and Marine Corps military installations to achieve increased resilience through natural infrastructure.

2 Dec 2024

Comparison of Run-Up Models with Field Data

Abstract: Run-up predictions are inherently uncertain, owing to ambiguities in phase-averaged models and inherent complexities of surf and swash-zone hydrodynamics. As a result, different approaches, ranging from simple algebraic expressions to computationally intensive phase-resolving models, have been used in attempt to capture the most relevant run-up processes. Studies quantifiably comparing these methods in terms of physical accuracy and computational speed are needed as new observation technologies and models become available. The current study tests the capability of the new swash formulation of the Coastal Modeling System (CMS) to predict 1D run-up statistics (R2%) collected during an energetic 3 week period on sandy dune-backed beach in Duck, North Carolina. The accuracy and speed of the debut CMS swash formulation is compared with one algebraic model and three other numerical models. Of the four tested numerical models, the CSHORE model computed the results fastest, and the CMS model results had the greatest accuracy. All four numerical models, including XBeach in surfbeat and nonhydrostatic modes, yielded half the error of the algebraic model tested. These findings present an encouraging advancement for phase-averaged coastal models, a critical step towards rapid prediction for near-time deterministic or long-term stochastic guidance.

12 Sep 2024

Coherent Marine X-Band Radar Deployment during DUNEX

Abstract: A marine X-band radar system, developed by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon) was deployed within view of the nearshore at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Field Research Facility (FRF), in Duck, North Carolina, from October 2021 to August 2022. The radar deployment was a collaboration among researchers at the FRF, Hereon, and the University of Miami and was initiated as part of the During Nearshore Event Experiment (DUNEX), a large multi-institutional field experiment funded by the US Coastal Research Program. The Hereon radar successfully collected data during the main DUNEX field campaign (approximately October 2021) and continued to collect nearly continuously until August 2022. To facilitate use of Hereon radar data, this document describes the deployment, provides background and context, and presents metadata. Within, we describe in detail the Hereon radar system, the locations of two different installations, the time periods covered, sampling modes, environmental conditions and notable events, example data products, and potential pathways for future use of the data.

11 Sep 2024

Evaluating Topographic Reconstruction Accuracy of Planet Lab’s Stereo Satellite Imagery

Abstract: The goal of this Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) is to document initial results to derive topography on the beachface in the northern Outer Banks, North Carolina, utilizing Planet Labs’ SkySat stereo panchromatic imagery processed in Agisoft Metashape. This technical note will provide an initial evaluation into whether Planet Lab’s SkySat imagery is a suitable image source for satellite Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms as well as whether these data should be explored as a federal beach project monitoring tool. Depending on required accuracy, these data have the potential to aid coastal scientists, managers, and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) engineers in understanding the now-state of their coastlines and employ cost-effective adaptive management techniques.