Applications of High Resolution Enhanced Hydrodynamic Modeling for Coastal Community Resiliency

Abstract:

This work outlines the development of an enhanced hydraulic flood model that uses a fine-scale grid to analyze explicit areas of flooding rather than widespread areas. This study modeled the extent of Atlantic City, New Jersey and developed a Surface-water Modeling System. This model compared the effects of storm events before and after mitigation practices were implemented into the area. The results illustrated lower water levels when levees were placed into the model, displaying the importance of flood mitigation techniques. The capabilities of the model were compared to national models such as HAZUS-MH and SLOSH to understand the significance of such detailed models. The results illustrated that HAZUS and SLOSH models over-predicted most of the time due to lower resolution. The results and benefits from this study’s simulation and modeling techniques, will allow Atlantic City community members and other coastal communities to understand the significance of fine-scale flood modeling and move forward with more advanced techniques in the future.