Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
95.041
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Project Title:
Beach and Dune Data Extents and Transfer
Project Description as Proposed:
Within the Shoreline Studies GIS database, previously identified dune sites are shown as points for the eight Dune Act jurisdictional localities and six non-jurisdictional localities where dunes exist. To date, there are 219 dune sites in the jurisdictional localities and 34 in non-jurisdictional localities. To better define the alongshore extent of dune sites, the Shoreline Studies Program at VIMS proposes to clip a digitized shoreline data layer (created using 2002 Virginia Base Mapping Aerial Photography) at each of the identified dune site’s end brackets.
To transfer the digitized historical shorelines to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program for use in Coastal GEMS, attribute fields need to be added to the data and appropriate metadata needs to be prepared. Seven localities have complete historical shoreline data for each year they were sampled and three localities only have the shoreline digitized in the areas where dunes are located. Due to the varying quality of the historical images, either mean high water (wet/dry line) or mean low water (toe of the beach) was digitized. This is consistent across the entire locality. As different datums were digitized for various years due to limitations of the photos, this information will be made clear in the attribute data. When complete, the data will be transferred as separate GIS shape files by locality for each year historical imagery was obtained.
Federal Funding:
$7,070
Project Contact:
Donna Milligan, (804) 693-3997; milligan@vims.edu
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Hardaway et al., 2001. Chesapeake Bay Dune Systems: Evolution and Status.
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
GIS shapefiles of dune site extents – In order to create a polyline to better define alongshore extent, the 2002 digitized shoreline was cropped at each dune site within the eight Dune Act jurisdictional localities and six non-jurisdictional localities where dunes exist. These sites must have met the criterion for dunes as described in Coastal Primary Sand Dunes and Beaches Act (§ 28.2-1400 to -1420). The measured parameters and classifications of each site, which were originally presented in Hardaway et al. (2001), were included in the GIS database as attributes of the line. The “center of the site” point data were included as well. Random data were rechecked for accuracy. It is important to note that this data was correct at the time of the original research. Dunes are dynamic, and many sites have changed in the last five to eight years. Metadata was created for the project.
GIS shapefiles of historical shorelines – Through several grants from NOAA through DEQ’s Coastal Program, shore evolution data was created by digitizing the shoreline from historical and recent orthorectified historical aerial photos. The localities for which this data exist are Accomack County, City of Hampton, Lancaster County, Mathews County, Middlesex County, City of Norfolk, Northampton County, Northumberland County, City of Virginia Beach, and Westmoreland County. These digitized shorelines were organized and attributed to facilitate web presentation. Seven localities have the entire shorelines digitized. Three localities (Accomack County, Middlesex County, and Westmoreland County) have the shorelines digitized only in the location of dune sites as presented in Hardaway et al. (2001). Due to the varying quality of the historical images, either mean high water (wet/dry line) or mean low water (toe of the beach) was digitized. This is consistent across the entire locality and is noted in the attribute data. Metadata was created individually for each locality.
Report is available at http://www.vims.edu/physical/research/shoreline/
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
