This project is intended to explore model engines and develop 3D capabilities (i.e., stratification) in order to provide an infrastructure that can support coastal and ocean models that extend from…

This $420,000 cooperative agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will support the development of modeling capabilities to better understand coastal and ocean systems. Awarded under NOAA's Mission-Related Education Awards program (CFDA 11.008), the funding will be used by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to explore modeling engines and 3D capabilities to provide infrastructure for coastal and ocean models extending from deep ocean waters through the coastal zone and inland watershed networks. Specifically, the recipient will develop "basin-to-creek" modeling capability, evaluate water quality through flexible process coupling, and investigate transitioning such efforts into an operational service. They will also conduct detailed modeling of the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system to create long-term hindcasts and fill knowledge gaps regarding compound flooding events. Additionally, $100,000 of the award will be provided as a sub-award to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to develop a novel compound flooding model for Lake Superior utilizing 3D unstructured grid modeling.

This project is intended to explore model engines and develop 3D capabilities (i.e., stratification) in order to provide an infrastructure that can support coastal and ocean models that extend from the ocean basin (deep ocean waters) through the coastal zone and up to land watershed network (RIVERINE), and also for the great lakes. The project will involve developing "basin-to-creek" capability, evaluating water quality through a flexible process coupling approach, understanding the potential requirement for transitioning such an effort to an operation service, and evaluating the performance of the model over time and spatial resolution. This project will also include a detailed investigation for an estuarine system (e.g. chesapeake BAY) for creating a long-term hindcast, filling in the GAP of missing compound flooding zones in the up-river and watershed areas, and developing a novel compound flooding model for lake superior.