Super-Fast INundation of CoastS (SFINCS) model input files at King County, Washington

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Super-Fast INundation of CoastS (SFINCS) model input files at King County, Washington
Abstract:
The datasets provided here consist of SFINCS model files and sample input files used for Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) simulations of flood hazards in King County, Washington. The models produce outputs for a suite of hazard products (see products in this release), such as flood depths, flood extents, and others. In this release, example forcing files for a single water year and a sea level rise of 0.0 m are provided, in addition to all other files needed to run the model.
Supplemental_Information:
This work is one portion of ongoing national modeling efforts. The Coastal Storm Modeling system (CoSMoS) uses several tiers of numerical models to make detailed predictions (meter-scale) of flooding and erosion over large geographic scales. For more information on CoSMoS implementation, see https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/science/coastal-storm-modeling-system-cosmos
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Parker, Kai A., Nederhoff, Kees, Erikson, Li H., Engelstad, Anita C., Hayden, Maya K., Barnard, Patrick L., and Grossman, Eric E., 20251126, Super-Fast INundation of CoastS (SFINCS) model input files at King County, Washington: data release DOI: 10.5066/P13HYXKY, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, CA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Parker, Kai A., Nederhoff, Kees, Erikson, Li H., Engelstad, Anita C., Hayden, Maya K., Barnard, Patrick L., and Grossman, Eric E., 2025, CoSMoS-Puget Sound Modeled Flood Hazards at King County - Washington: data release DOI: 10.5066/P13HYXKY, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, CA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested Citation: Parker, K., Nederhoff, K., Erikson L.H., Engelstad, A.C., Hayden, M.K., Barnard, P.L., and Grossman, E.E., 2025, CoSMoS-Puget Sound Modeled Flood Hazards at King County - Washington: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13HYXKY.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.583625
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.025100
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.819405
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.206513
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2025
    Currentness_Reference:
    publication year
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: text, binary, and netcdf
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Raster data set. It contains the following raster data types:
      • Dimensions, type Pixel
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 10
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -123.0
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.00000
      False_Easting: 500000.0
      False_Northing: 0.00
      Planar coordinates are encoded using row and column
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 2
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 2
      Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
      The horizontal datum used is NAD83.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS 1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.00.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
      Depth_Resolution: 0.01
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Implicit coordinate
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    SFINCS example model inputs (SFINCS_ModelInput_King.zip)
    One zip file with sample time-series forcing data and all necessary input files. (Source: Producer defined)
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Model setup files include all files necessary to run SFINCS model simulations. To provide the user with an example, the boundary conditions for a single simulation water year are included here. Please review the rest of the metadata record for additional details and information.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Kai A. Parker
    • Kees Nederhoff
    • Li H. Erikson
    • Anita C. Engelstad
    • Maya K. Hayden
    • Patrick L. Barnard
    • Eric E. Grossman
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    This work was funded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, King County Department of Natural Resources under Statement of Work 21ZPCOLL210705, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Statement of Work DW-014-92578201/ EPA-CF-0000007695 to the USGS. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Computation resources were supported by the USGS Advanced Research Computing (Falgout and others, 2024).
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-427-4747 (voice)
    pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This product was created to fulfill the Bureau-wide vision of an integrated, predictive science capability to support Washington communities in building resiliency from natural disasters, sovereignty and self-determination, and emergency response and planning capacity. These data are intended for policy makers, resource managers, science researchers, technical users, students, and the general public. These data are not intended to be used for navigation.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    TBDEM (source 1 of 6)
    Tyler, D.J., Danielson, Jeff J., Grossman, Eric E., and Hockenberry, R.J., 2020, Topobathymetric Model of Puget Sound, Washington, 1887 to 2017: U.S. Geological Survey, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online database
    Source_Contribution: Topobathymetric digital elevation model
    USGS streamflow (source 2 of 6)
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2016, National Water Information System data: U.S. Geological Survey, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online database
    Source_Contribution: USGS streamflow used to correct TBDEM elevations
    tide gauge (source 3 of 6)
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2025, Seattle, WA - Station ID: 9447130: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online database
    Source_Contribution: tide gauge data used to calibrate and validate the model
    FEMA FIRM (source 4 of 6)
    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 2025, FEMA Flood Map Service Center: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online database
    Source_Contribution:
    All FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) panel tiles in King County, Washington, were used to compare previous modeled water levels with the SFINCS model.
    HydroMT-SFINCS (source 5 of 6)
    Eilander, D., Goede, R. de, Leijnse, T., Ormondt, M. van, Nederhoff, K., and Winsemius, H. C., 2025, HydroMT-SFINCS (v1.2.0): Deltares, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: software
    Source_Contribution: model software files
    SFINCS (source 6 of 6)
    Ormondt, Maarten van, Leijnse, Tim, Nederhoff, Kees, Goede, Roel de, Dongeren, Ap van, Bovenschen, Tycho, and Asselt, Koen van, 2024, SFINCS: Super-Fast Inundation of CoastS model (v1.2.1 – Dollerup Release): Deltares, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: software
    Source_Contribution: model software files
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 01-Jan-2025 (process 1 of 1)
    A SFINCS model was developed for the full extent of King County. Developed files include model domain (sfincs.inp, sfincs.msk, sfincs.dep, sfincs.ind, sfincs.qinf, sfincs_subgrid.nc), settings (sfincs.inp), forcing (sfincs.dis, sfincs.precip, sfincs.src, sfincs_bndbzs.nc), and subgrid structure files (sfincs.weir). See Deltares SFINCS manual (2025) for a full description of each of these model files. The model was set up in a projected coordinate system (Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) zone 10 N) and elevations are referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88). Bed level data files (sfincs.dep) and subgrid tables (sfincs_subgrid.nc) were populated by interpolating TBDEM elevations to the cartesian model grid. The model grid was setup with a 50 meter (m) computational grid resolution with 2m subgridding. In regions of unresolved river bathymetry, TBDEM elevations were corrected with a channel depth inverted iteratively from USGS streamflow stage data. Additionally, levees and other blocking features were implemented as subgrid structures (sfincs.weir) to ensure that maximum elevations were accurately represented in the simulations. Model files were developed using HydroMT-SFINCS and SFINCS model 2.2.1. Model setup was calibrated and validated against NOAA tide gauge data, USGS streamflow data, and compared to previous modeled water levels (such as FEMA FIRM maps) and qualitative flood extents from recent events. For a full description of the model setup, see Nederhoff and others, 2025. Simulation were setup as 100 separate year-long simulations, of which one example simulation year is bundled here. Data sources used in this process:
    • TBDEM
    • HydroMT-SFINCS
    • USGS streamflow
    • tide gauge
    • FEMA FIRM
    • SFINCS
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Deltares, 2025, SFINCS online manual documentation..

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Deltares, 2025, SFINCS online manual documentation, Available online: sfincs.readthedocs.io (accessed 02 March 2025)
    Falgout, J.T., Gordon, J., Williams, B., and Davis, M.J., 2024, USGS Advanced Research Computing, USGS Denali Supercomputer..

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Falgout, J.T., Gordon J., Williams B., Davis M. J., USGS Advanced Research Computing, USGS Denali Supercomputer: U.S. Geological Survey, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9PSW367
    Nederhoff, Kees, Parker, Kai, and Grossman, Eric E., 2025, Beyond the 100-Year Flood: Probabilistic Flood Hazard Assessment for King and Pierce Counties under Future Climate Scenarios.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Nederhoff, K., Parker, K., and Grossman, E., 2025, Beyond the 100-Year Flood: Probabilistic Flood Hazard Assessment for King and Pierce Counties under Future Climate Scenarios: EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4909.

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Attribute values are model-derived water depths due to plausible sea-level rise and future storm conditions and therefore cannot be validated against observations. The projections were generated using the latest downscaled climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6).
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Data are concurrent with topobathymetric digital elevation model (DEM) locations.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Model-derived data are accurate within published uncertainty bounds, indicative of total uncertainty from elevation data sources and model processes. See Nederhoff and others, 2025 for additional information on vertical accuracy and uncertainty layer development.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Dataset is considered complete for the information presented.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Data have undergone quality checks and meet standards.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints No access constraints
Use_Constraints USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. These data are marked with a Creative Common CC0 1.0 Universal License. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset and in products derived from these data. This information is not intended for navigation purposes.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey - CMGDS
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-427-4747 (voice)
    pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? These data are available as text and binary files contained in a zip file accompanied by CSDGM FGDC-compliant metadata.
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
    • Availability in digital form:
      Data format: Zip file (SFINCS_ModelInput_King.zip) contains 12 model input files for the SFINCS model in format text,binary, and netcdf Size: 649.4
      Network links: https://doi.org/10.5066/P13HYXKY
    • Cost to order the data: None.

  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    text data can be viewed with any text reading software and binaries can be read using SFINCS model tools (such as HydroMT-SFINCS)

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 26-Nov-2025
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA

831-427-4747 (voice)
pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/pcmsc/DataReleases/CMGDS_DR_tool/DR_P13HYXKY/SFINCS_ModelInput_King_metadata.faq.html>
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