Projected water table depths along the Virginia, Georgia, and Florida coasts

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text] - [XML]

Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?
Who produced the data set?
Why was the data set created?
How was the data set created?
How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
How can someone get a copy of the data set?
Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

Title:

Projected water table depths along the Virginia, Georgia, and Florida coasts

Abstract:

To predict water table depths, seamless groundwater heads for unconfined coastal Virginia, Georgia, and Florida (Atlantic and Gulf coast south of Sarasota) groundwater systems were modeled with homogeneous, steady-state MODFLOW simulations. The geographic extent examined was limited primarily to low-elevation (land surface less than approximately 10 m above mean sea level) areas. Steady-state MODFLOW groundwater flow models were used to obtain detailed (50-meter-scale) predictions over large geographic scales (100s of kilometers) of groundwater heads for both current and future sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 m) using 3 spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K); one based on published K's, one with published K's reduced by a factor of 10 (K*0.1), and one with published K's increased by a factor of 10 (K*10) to assess the sensitivity of model results to K. All models had variable thicknesses corresponding to published transmissivities. The models were run with a local mean higher-high water (MHHW) marine boundary condition, and with groundwater reaching the land surface removed from the model, simulating loss via natural drainage. Modeled groundwater heads were then subtracted from high-resolution topographic digital elevation model (DEM) data to obtain the water table depths. Similar modeled data for North Carolina and South Carolina are available from Barnard and others, 2023, at https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W91314.

Supplemental_Information:

This data release was funded by the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

How might this data set be cited?
Befus, Kevin M., Hoover, Daniel J., and Barnard, Patrick L., 20230315, Projected water table depths along the Virginia, Georgia, and Florida coasts: data release DOI:10.5066/P9BQQTCI, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Santa Cruz, California.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI
This is part of the following larger work.
Barnard, Patrick L., Befus, Kevin, Danielson, Jeffrey J., Engelstad, Anita C., Erikson, Li H., Foxgrover, Amy C., Hayden, Maya K., Hoover, Daniel J., Leijnse, Tim, Massey, Chris, McCall, Robert, Nadal-Caraballo, Norberto C., Nederhoff, Kees, Ohenhen, Leonard O., O'Neill, Andrea C., Parker, Kai A., Shirzaei, Manoocher, Su, Xin, Thomas, Jennifer A., Ormondt, Maarten van, Vitousek, Sean F., Vos, Kilian, and Yawn, Madison C., 2023, Future coastal hazards along the U.S. Atlantic coast: data release DOI: 10.5066/P9BQQTCI, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI
What geographic area does the data set cover?
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -82.499627
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.203445
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.027919
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.098211
What does it look like?

GWHazards_WaterTabledepth_browse_graphic.png (PNG)
Map showing water table depth results along the coasts of Virginia, Georgia, and Florida for the K x 1 and present-day sea-level rise (0m) scenario. Colors represent water table depth relative to the ground surface.
Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

Beginning_Date: 2001

Ending_Date: 2023

Currentness_Reference:

oldest dataset used through year of publication
What is the general form of this data set?
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: GeoTiff
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: 17
  Transverse_Mercator:
  Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
  Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -81.000000
  Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000
  False_Easting: 500000.000000
  False_Northing: 0.000000
  
  Planar coordinates are encoded using row and column
  Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 10.000000
  Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 10.000000
  Planar coordinates are specified in meters
  The horizontal datum used is GCS WGS 1984.
  The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
  The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
  The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
  
  Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
  Depth_System_Definition:
  Depth_Datum_Name: NAVD88
  Depth_Resolution: 0.001
  Depth_Distance_Units: meters
  Depth_Encoding_Method: Implicit coordinate
How does the data set describe geographic features?

projected water table depths
Geotiffs of projected water table depths for the State, SLR, and K case specified (Source: originators at United States Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center)

Projection of water table depths for given State, SLR, and K case specified
water table depth (Source: producer defined)

Range of values

Minimum: -41.590

Maximum: 50.763

Units: meters

Resolution: 0.001

Range of values
Minimum:	-41.590
Maximum:	50.763
Units:	meters
Resolution:	0.001

Who produced the data set?

Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- Kevin M. Befus
- Daniel J. Hoover
- Patrick L. Barnard
Who also contributed to the data set?
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

US

831-460-4747 (voice)

831-427-4748 (FAX)

pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Projections for future sea-level rise provide emergency responders and coastal planners with critical hazards information that can be used to increase public safety, mitigate physical damages, and more effectively manage and allocate resources within complex coastal settings. These data are intended for policy makers, resource managers, science researchers, students, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software to identify and assess possible areas of vulnerability. These data are not intended to be used for navigation.

How was the data set created?

From what previous works were the data drawn?
groundwater head (source 1 of 5)
Befus, Kevin M., Hoover, Daniel J., and Barnard, Patrick L., 2023, Projected groundwater head along the Virginia, Georgia, and Florida coasts: U.S. Geological Survey, online.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI
Type_of_Source_Media: digital dataset
Source_Contribution: used to calculate water table depths
TBDEM (source 2 of 5)
U.S. Geological Survey, 2020, Coastal National Elevation Database (CoNED) Project - Topobathymetric Digital Elevation Model (TBDEM) for Southeast Atlantic Coast: U.S. Geological Survey, online.
Online Links:
- https://topotools.cr.usgs.gov/topobathy_viewer
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Contribution:
Topobathymetric Digital Elevation Model (TBDEM) data for Virginia (Chesapeake Bay) and Georgia. See metadata for each area and read carefully
CUDEM (source 3 of 5)
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, 2014, Continuously Updated Digital Elevation Model (CUDEM) - 1/9 Arc-Second Resolution Bathymetric-Topographic Tiles. All Florida subsets: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, online.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.25921/ds9v-ky35
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Contribution:
Digital elevation data used for model input in Florida. The most recent data covering Eastern, Southern, and Western (south of Sarasota) Florida under 15m elevation NAVD88 at the time of access were used. Users are advised to read the metadata for this source dataset carefully.
FL one-meter DEM (source 4 of 5)
U.S. Geological Survey, 2018, USGS one meter for Florida: USGS, online.
Online Links:
- https://rockyweb.usgs.gov/vdelivery/Datasets/Staged/Elevation/1m/Projects/FL_Southeast_B1_2018/
Type_of_Source_Media: digital dataset
Source_Contribution:
Digital elevation data used for model input in Florida. The most recent data covering Eastern and Southern Florida under 15 m elevation NAVD88 at the time of access were used to fill gaps/bad areas of CUDEM. Users are advised to read the metadata for this source dataset carefully.
CRM (source 5 of 5)
NOAA National Geophysical Data Center, 2001, U.S. Coastal Relief Model Vol.3 - Florida and East Gulf of Mexico: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, online.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.7289/V5W66HPP
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Contribution:
Digital elevation data used for model input in Florida. The most recent data covering Eastern and Southern Florida under 15 m elevation NAVD88 at the time of access were used to fill gaps/bad areas of FL one-meter DEM. Users are advised to read the metadata for this source dataset carefully.
How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
Date: 05-Apr-2022 (process 1 of 2)
Calculated water table depths by subtracting modeled 50-m-resolution groundwater heads from 10-m-resolution digital elevation data (TBDEM, CUDEM, FL one-meter DEM, CRM). Where FL DEMs (CUDEM, FL one-meter DEM, CRM) overlapped, DEMs were used preferentially in the order listed. Data sources used in this process:
- groundwater head, TBDEM, CUDEM, FL one-meter DEM, CRM
Date: 16-May-2023 (process 2 of 2)
Edits were made to correct spelling in author name. No data were changed. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata bundled within a download file. Users are advised to compare the metadata date of this file to any similar file to ensure they are using the most recent version. (scochran@usgs.gov)
What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
Barnard, Patrick L., Befus, Kevin, Danielson, Jeffrey J., Engelstad, Anita C., Erikson, Li H., Foxgrover, Amy C., Hardy, Matthew W., Hoover, Daniel J., Leijnse, Tim, Massey, Chris, McCall, Robert, Nadal-Caraballo, Norberto C., Nederhoff, Kees, Ohenhen, Leonard, O'Neill, Andrea C., Parker, Kai A., Shirzaei, Manoocher, Su, Xin, Thomas, Jennifer A., Ormondt, Maarten van, Vitousek, Sean F., Vos, Kilian, and Yawn, Madison C., 2023, Future coastal hazards along the U.S. North and South Carolina coasts.

Other_Citation_Details:
Barnard, P.L., Befus, K., Danielson, J.J., Engelstad, A.C., Erikson, L.H., Foxgrover, A.C., Hardy, M.W., Hoover, D.J., Leijnse, T., Massey, C., McCall, R., Nadal-Caraballo, N.C., Nederhoff, K., Ohenhen, L., O'Neill, A.C., Parker, K.A., Shirzaei, M., Su, X., Thomas, J.A., van Ormondt, M., Vitousek, S.F., Vos K., and Yawn, M.C., 2023, Future coastal hazards along the U.S. North and South Carolina coasts: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9W91314.

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

How well have the observations been checked?
Attribute values are model-derived water table depths for present-day and future sea-level rise conditions. The model uses parameters from calibrated and published groundwater models and is intended to show the general response of the shallow coastal water table to sea-level rise. Water table depths are calculated relative to the best-available ground surface elevations from available digital elevation models (DEMs), but DEM inaccuracies introduce additional uncertainty into calculated water table depths. Projected water tables for future sea-level rise conditions cannot be validated against observations.
How accurate are the geographic locations?
Data are concurrent with topographic digital elevation model (DEM) locations.
How accurate are the heights or depths?
Model-derived head elevations are accurate within the limitations of the model. The model uses parameters from calibrated, published groundwater models, but limitations due to model resolution and uncertainty in model parameter values may significantly affect modeled head elevations. For water table depths, modeled heads are subtracted from land surface elevations from the best available digital elevation models (DEMs). DEM inaccuracy will introduce additional uncertainty into water table depth results. As a result, water table depth results are intended to show only the general response of the shallow coastal water table to sea-level rise.
Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
Dataset is considered complete for the information presented. Users are advised to read the metadata record carefully for additional details.
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	none
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. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Arkansas as the originators of the dataset and in products derived from these data. This information is not intended for navigation purposes.

Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

U.S. Geological Survey - CMGDS

2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA

USA

831-427-4747 (voice)

pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Zip files (GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR0p25.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR0p5.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR1p0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR1p5.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR2p0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR2p5.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR3p0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR0p25.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR0p5.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR1p0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR1p5.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR2p0.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR2p5.ZIP, GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_GA_SLR3p0.ZIP) contain water table depth projections for all 3 K cases for the State and sea-level rise (SLR) indicated. When unzipped, individual water table depth files have filenames with the structure"(St_abbrev)_Kzell(K#)_slr(SLR#)m_10m_wt_depth.tif", where St_abbrev is the abbreviated State name (VA, GA), K# is 0p1, 1, or 10, and SLR# is 0p00, 0p25, 0p50, 1p00, 1p50, 2p00, 2p50, or 3p00. . The"p" in file names is being used in place of a decimal point. File sizes are in MB. Files"FL_Kzell(K#)_slr(SLR#)m_10m_wt_depth.tif" contain single TIFF files for the Florida K and slr case specified.
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.

How can I download or order the data?

Availability in digital form:

Data format:	The .zip file (GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR0.zip) includes 3 GeoTIFF files for the State of Virginia, SLR 0m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020) (Kx1), and for the same K's multiplied by 0.1 (Kx0p1), and by 10 (Kx10). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 4800
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:

The .zip file (GWHazards_WaterTableDepth_VA_SLR0.zip) includes 3 GeoTIFF files for the State of Virginia, SLR 0m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020) (Kx1), and for the same K's multiplied by 0.1 (Kx0p1), and by 10 (Kx10). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 4800

Network links:

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr0p00m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 0m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5500
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr0p25m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 0.25m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5500
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr0p50m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 0.50m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5500
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr1p00m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 1.00m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5500
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr1p50m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 1.50m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5400
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr2p00m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 2.00m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5500
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr2p50m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 2.50m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5400
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Data format:	The file FL_Kzell1_slr3p00m_10m_wt_depth.tif is a GeoTIFF files of coastal water table depths for the State of Florida, SLR 3.00m, for spatially varying hydraulic conductivities (K's) from Zell and Sanford (2020). in format GeoTIFF (version ArcGIS 10.5) Features are GeoTIFF format and are projected in UTM Zone 17 coordinates, with horizontal datum WGS84 and vertical datum NAVD88. Size: 5400
Network links:	https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BQQTCI

Projected water table depths along the Virginia, Georgia, and Florida coasts

Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Who produced the data set?

Why was the data set created?

How was the data set created?

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

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Who wrote the metadata?