Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Andrew W. Stevens Originator: Joshua B. Logan Originator: Jackson E. Currie Originator: Timothy C. Elfers Originator: Kai A. Parker Publication_Date: 20260604 Title: Beach topography of Humboldt Bay North Spit and South Spit, California Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: comma-delimited text Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/P1SNSQB9 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1SNSQB9 Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Andrew W. Stevens Originator: Joshua B. Logan Originator: Jackson E. Currie Originator: Timothy Elfers Originator: Kai A. Parker Publication_Date: 2026 Title: Beach topography and nearshore bathymetry of Humboldt Bay North Spit and South Spit, California Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/P1SNSQB9 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Other_Citation_Details: Suggested Citation: Stevens, A.W., Logan, J.B., Currie, J.E., Elfers, T.C., Parker, K.A., 2026, Beach topography and nearshore bathymetry of Humboldt Bay North Spit and South Spit, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P1SNSQB9. Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1SNSQB9 Description: Abstract: Topographic data were collected along the beaches and dunes of Humboldt Bay North Spit and South Spit, California using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers mounted to backpacks. Additional topographic data were collected between transects in some areas with an all-terrain vehicles equipped with GNSS receivers. This data release currently contains topographic data from 2 surveys performed between April 2025 and September 2025 and will be updated when additional surveys become available. Purpose: Data were obtained to quantify changes in coastal morphology and sand volume within an area that extends approximately 12 kilometers (km) north and 8 km south of the Humboldt Bay inlet. Analysis derived from these data were used to inform management of sediment dredged from the bar and entrance channel of Humboldt Bay by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Supplemental_Information: Additional information about the field activities from which these data were derived is available online at: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2025-615-FA https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2025-658-FA Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20250428 Ending_Date: 20250919 Currentness_Reference: Ground condition at time data were collected Status: Progress: In work Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.2768441 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.1651965 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.8627511 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.6969119 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier Theme_Keyword: USGS:2b7206ab-ff8c-4bb1-8bce-6b5df8ba3726 Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: elevation Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Data Categories for Marine Planning Theme_Keyword: Bathymetry and Elevation Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: GPS measurement Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Marine Realms Information Bank (MRIB) keywords Theme_Keyword: Global Positioning System (GPS) observations Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Theme_Keyword: USGS Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program Theme_Keyword: CMHRP Theme_Keyword: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Theme_Keyword: PCMSC Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Place_Keyword: Humboldt County Place_Keyword: North Spit Place_Keyword: South Spit Place_Keyword: Humboldt Bay 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 Commons CC0 1.0 Universal License. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator(s) of the dataset and in products derived from these data. This information is not intended for navigation purposes. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Native_Data_Set_Environment: MATLAB Version: 25.2.0.2998904 (R2025a) Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: No formal attribute accuracy tests were conducted. Logical_Consistency_Report: No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted. Completeness_Report: Dataset is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Manufacturer reported accuracy for the differentially corrected horizontal positions for topographic measurements is 0.8 cm + 0.5 ppm, where ppm refers to baseline distances between GNSS rovers and base stations in parts per million. Mean and maximum baselines from the GNSS base station during the survey were 3.1 km and 6.3 km, respectively suggesting a mean and maximum horizontal accuracy of topographic positions to be between 0.67 centimeters (cm) and 0.82 cm relative to the base station coordinate. Uncertainty in the horizontal positions associated with variable posture of the topographic surveyors during data collection is unknown. Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Uncertainty in the vertical positions of the topographic measurements was estimated based on the accuracy of the Trimble GNSS rovers used in the survey. Manufacturer reported accuracy for the differentially corrected vertical positions for the GNSS rover trajectories is 1.5 cm + 1 ppm. The maximum baseline from the GNSS base station during the survey was 6.3 km, suggesting a minimum vertical accuracy of 2.76 cm relative to the base station coordinate. Uncertainty in the vertical positions associated with variable posture of the surveyors, changes in antenna height due to weight distribution of the all-terrain vehicle, or sinking into the substrate during acquisition is unknown. Lineage: Process_Step: Process_Description: Geodetic control for the project was established using simultaneous static GNSS network surveys on four benchmarks installed near the study area. Static GNSS occupations were conducted on these benchmarks during February, April, and May 2025. Observation data from each session were processed using the National Geodetic Survey’s Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) Projects. All static observations used in the network adjustment met USGS Level I quality standards for single-base OPUS-S surveys. The resulting geodetic control is aligned to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) through the North American Datum of 1983, National Adjustment of 2011 (NAD83(2011)), at epoch 2010.00. Elevations are referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88), with orthometric heights computed using NGS GEOID18. Process_Date: 2025 Process_Step: Process_Description: Topographic profiles were primarily collected on foot with GNSS receivers mounted on backpacks. Hand-held data collectors were used to log raw data and display navigational information allowing surveyors to navigate survey lines. Topographic profiles were surveyed from the landward edge of the study area (either the base of a bluff, engineering structure, or just landward of the primary dune) over the beach foreshore, to wading depth on the same series of transects as nearshore bathymetric surveys. Additional topographic data were collected between survey lines with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to constrain the elevations and alongshore extent of major morphological features. Process_Date: 20250919 Process_Step: Process_Description: Precise positioning of the topographic platforms was achieved with a single GNSS base station transmitting differential corrections in real time via UHF radio modem at 1-Hz intervals. Trimble Business Center software was used to apply differential corrections to topographic data collected in autonomous mode when radio communication between the GNSS base station and rover failed. Orthometric elevations relative to the NAVD88 vertical datum were computed using the National Geodetic Survey Geoid18 geoid model. The final point data are projected in cartesian coordinates using the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), Zone 10N meters coordinate system. Process_Date: 20250923 Process_Step: Process_Description: All available topographic data from the surveys were compiled into a comma-delimited text files (one file for each survey) for distribution Process_Date: 20250925 Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 151949 Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.0000001 Longitude_Resolution: 0.0000001 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983 Ellipsoid_Name: GRS_1980 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222101 Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition: Altitude_System_Definition: Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988 Altitude_Resolution: 0.01 Altitude_Distance_Units: meters Altitude_Encoding_Method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: hb[yy]_[mmm]_topo.csv Entity_Type_Definition: Table containing attribute information associated with the topography dataset, where [yy]_[mmm] in the file name is the year and month in which the data were collected. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute: Attribute_Label: line_number Attribute_Definition: Numeric code identifying the number of the survey line. Data that were not collected along a survey line are labeled "None". Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 001 Range_Domain_Maximum: 104 Attribute: Attribute_Label: datetime_utc Attribute_Definition: The date and time of data collection in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 2025-Apr-28 13:44:39.000 Range_Domain_Maximum: 2025-Sep-19 15:04:13.000 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: date and time in yyyy-mmm-dd HH:MM:SS.FFF format Attribute: Attribute_Label: longitude Attribute_Definition: Longitude coordinate of data point relative to the North American Datum of 1983 (EPSG: 4269) Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -124.2768441 Range_Domain_Maximum: -124.1651965 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees Attribute: Attribute_Label: latitude Attribute_Definition: Latitude coordinate of data point relative to the North American Datum of 1983 (EPSG: 4269) Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 40.6969119 Range_Domain_Maximum: 40.8627511 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees Attribute: Attribute_Label: easting_m Attribute_Definition: East coordinate of data point relative to the North American Datum of 1983, projected in the Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 10N, meters, coordinate system (EPSG: 6339) Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 392125.55 Range_Domain_Maximum: 401800.09 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: northing_m Attribute_Definition: North coordinate of data point relative to the North American Datum of 1983, projected in the Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 10N, meters, coordinate system (EPSG: 6339) Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 4505894.79 Range_Domain_Maximum: 4524177.27 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: distance_m Attribute_Definition: Distance from reference point along planned survey line. Distances are relative to an arbitrary reference point. Depending on the orientation of the target line and position of the reference point, the along-line distance can be positive or negative in any direction. NaN=not a number, because the data were not collected along a pre-defined survey line. Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 783.58 Range_Domain_Maximum: 2070.53 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: offline_m Attribute_Definition: Horizontal distance from planned survey line. Depending on the orientation of the target line and position of the reference point, the offline distance can be positive or negative in any direction. NaN=not a number, because the data were not collected along a pre-defined survey line. Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -2.99 Range_Domain_Maximum: 2.99 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: ellipsoid_ht_m Attribute_Definition: Height in meters of data point with reference to the reference ellipsoid Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -32.83 Range_Domain_Maximum: -18.55 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: ortho_ht_m Attribute_Definition: Height in meters relative to the NAVD88 vertical datum, computed assuming National Geodetic Survey Geoid18. Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -1.75 Range_Domain_Maximum: 12.29 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Overview_Description: Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: This dataset contains one comma separated values (csv) topography file for each field activity. Data files are named hb[yy]_[mmm]_topo.csv, in which [yy]_[mmm] indicates the year and month of the survey. Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey - Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Resource_Description: Topographic data from each survey are available as separate comma-delimited text files, along with associated FGDC-compliant metadata. Distribution_Liability: 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. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: comma-delimited text Format_Version_Number: MATLAB Version: 25.2.0.2998904 (R2025b) Format_Information_Content: comma-delimited text file File_Decompression_Technique: No compression applied Transfer_Size: 14.1 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1SNSQB9 Access_Instructions: Topographic data may be accessed and downloaded via the Internet by using the first Network_Resource_Name link and scrolling to the Location-Elevation Data section. Fees: None Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20260604 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998