New tool offers flood and sea level rise solutions for San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco — With the potential impacts of current winter storms and sea level rise on San Francisco Bay Area communities, a team of scientists and engineers has created a new computer model that can inform critical decisions and guide flood prevention efforts now and in the future. The model is freely available at: San Francisco Bay Delta Community Website.

The computer model incorporates the complex dynamics that make up the San Francisco Bay Delta environment, including hydrology, sediment transport, water quality and the region’s many ecosystems.

“Agencies can now collaborate to gather insights and assess the impacts of flood events and understand how effective mitigation measures such as levees, salt pond restoration projects and other proposed measures may impact different jurisdictions throughout the Bay and Delta,” explain Hank Ackerman, Flood Control Project Manager In partnership with the Alameda County Department of Public Works.

The new Delft3D flexible grid model simulates the conditions of the San Francisco Bay Delta system from Point Reyes to the tidal limit near Sacramento. The high-resolution grid captures fine features and variations in the model, allowing detailed calculations of fluid dynamics, sediment transport, water quality and ecosystems.

“Agencies throughout the Bay Area can use this resource to forecast water levels in order to develop emergency response plans for current storms, as well as future sea level rise and storm scenarios,” he said. Patrick Barnard, USGS Research Geologistthe work of its team Coastal Storm Modeling System and Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information System Inform the development of the model.

One- and two-dimensional hydrodynamic models can be used to estimate tides, storm surges, and wave-driven water levels in bays, local tributaries, and deltaic waterways for hindcasting and forecasting purposes. Three-dimensional hydrodynamic models can be used to simulate salinity and temperature in bays and deltas.

This new open platform was created in partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, and the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, with support from Deltares USA. To mark the launch of this new tool, the USGS, Alameda County Flood Control District, and Deltares USA will host a collaborative webinar. This event will showcase research and practical experience from the San Francisco Bay Community Model. For more information and to register, visit www.d3d-baydelta.org/webinar.