Coastal Data Collection

Numerous data-sets are collected, ranging from survey data to satellite imagery to support decision making on coastal issues.

Satellite Imagery

This imagery provides geographically rectified photography with exceptional resolution from orbiting satellites. This, along with geo-rectified aerial photography , is very useful in determining shoreline changes for large areas over various time periods. Figure 1 is a sample image of the St. Joseph, MI Water Treatment facility.

Figure 1 - Satellite Imagery

Jet Probing

This source of data is used to determine sand thickness within the nearshore region. It is an invaluable data set when determining potential exposure of the underlying cohesive material. Figure 2 shows an example of the device used to collect the data

Figure 2 - Jet Probing

Bathymetric Data

Bathymetric data is essential information when determining nearshore wave characteristics, such as refraction and shoaling. There are a number of various ways of obtaining this data. Figure 3 is SHOALS data along Michigan shoreline in Allegan County. It is high-resolution bathymetric data, akin to LIDAR data obtained on land (also available through the Corps). The Detroit District also collects conventional boat surveys.

Figure 3 - Bathymetric Data