Alabama: baseline generated to calculate shoreline change rates

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Metadata:

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Meredith G. Kratzmann
Publication_Date: 20260622
Title: Alabama: baseline generated to calculate shoreline change rates
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:

Series_Name: data release
Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/P1JE2KSO

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1JE2KSO
Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/69e2afc2b66b0195694c11e3

Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Meredith G. Kratzmann
Originator: Amy S. Farris
Originator: Kathryn M. Weber
Publication_Date: 2026
Title:

National Shoreline Change—A GIS compilation of vector shorelines and associated shoreline change data from the 1800s to the 2020s for the coast of Alabama

Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:

Series_Name: data release
Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/P1JE2KSO

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Other_Citation_Details:

suggested citation: Kratzmann, M.G., Farris, A.S., and Weber, K.M., 2026, National Shoreline Change—A GIS compilation of vector shorelines and associated shoreline change data from the 1800s to the 2020s for the coast of Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P1JE2KSO.

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1JE2KSO
Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/69e2a7d5b66b0195694c1197

Description:

Abstract:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains shoreline positions for the United States coasts from various historical sources, such as aerial photographs or topographic surveys, and contemporary sources, such as lidar-point clouds and digital elevation models. Shorelines are compiled in a Geographic Information System (GIS) and analyzed in the USGS Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) software to calculate rates of change. Keeping a record of historical shoreline positions is an effective method to monitor change over time, enabling scientists to identify areas most susceptible to erosion or accretion. These data can help coastal managers understand which areas of the coast are vulnerable to change. The shoreline positions and shoreline change rates provide actionable information to homeowners, coastal communities, and managers of public and private properties to improve resiliency for coastal hazards.

Purpose:

This dataset includes reference baseline segments used by the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to calculate rate-of-change statistics for the coast of Alabama. The baseline layer serves as the starting point for orthogonally-oriented transects generated by the DSAS application. The transects intersect each shoreline and establish measurement points used to calculate shoreline change rates.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2026

Currentness_Reference: publication date

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.350587
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.517445
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.278659
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.216387

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Baseline
Theme_Keyword: Shoreline Change
Theme_Keyword: Digital Shoreline Analysis System
Theme_Keyword: DSAS
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey
Theme_Keyword: USGS
Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program
Theme_Keyword: CMHRP
Theme_Keyword: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Theme_Keyword: WHCMSC

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: geospatial datasets
Theme_Keyword: coastal processes

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:69e2afc2b66b0195694c11e3

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: GNIS
Place_Keyword: State of Alabama
Place_Keyword: Dauphin Island
Place_Keyword: Fort Morgan Alabama
Place_Keyword: Gulf Shores

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Gulf Coast
Place_Keyword: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Place_Keyword: United States of America
Place_Keyword: North America

Access_Constraints:

No access constraints. Please see 'Distribution Information' for details.

Use_Constraints:

These data are marked with a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal License. These data are in the public domain and do not have any use constraints. Users are advised to read the dataset's metadata thoroughly to understand appropriate use and data limitations. Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset. These data are not to be used for navigation.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: Meredith G. Kratzmann

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: [email protected]

Browse_Graphic:

Browse_Graphic_File_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/69e2afc2b66b0195694c11e3?name=AL_baseline.png&allowOpen=true

Browse_Graphic_File_Description:

Map view of data. Yellow line indicates extent of the baseline for Alabama.

Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PNG

Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise; Esri ArcGIS Pro 3.5.5
Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Rachel E. Henderson
Originator: Amy S. Farris
Originator: Meredith G. Kratzmann
Originator: Marie K. Bartlett
Originator: Ayhan Ergul
Originator: John McAndrews
Originator: Raison Cibaj
Originator: Jessica L. Zichichi
Originator: Emily A. Himmelstoss
Originator: E. Robert Thieler
Publication_Date: 2026
Title: Digital Shoreline Analysis System version 6.1
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: publication
Series_Information:

Series_Name: software release
Issue_Identification: version 6.1.177

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Other_Citation_Details:

Use the first link to access the publication page. The second link is to the current version of DSAS (v6.1). The third link directs to the DSAS project page.

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1NHMJNC
Online_Linkage: https://code.usgs.gov/cch/dsas
Online_Linkage:

https://www.usgs.gov/centers/whcmsc/science/digital-shoreline-analysis-system-dsas

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The attributes in this layer are based on the requirements for use within DSAS.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Each polyline has a unique identification attribute (DSAS_ID). This field is used by the DSAS to designate the alongshore order of baselines, if more than one baseline segment exists.

Completeness_Report:

This baseline file is complete and contains the baseline segment(s) used to cast transects along sections of the coastal region where shoreline position data were present.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

The baseline serves as a reference point for transects cast by DSAS. It does not correspond to any real-world feature.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

A baseline was constructed with respect to the time series of shoreline positions using standard editing tools in ArcGIS Pro v3.5.5. The offshore baseline was positioned to conform to the overall orientation of the shorelines. This was done so that the transects, which are generated by DSAS from the baseline, would intersect roughly perpendicular to the general trend of the shorelines. ID values were added to each segment in sequential order alongshore starting with 1. This and the following process steps were performed by Meredith G. Kratzmann.

Process_Date: 2025
Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Meredith G. Kratzmann
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: [email protected]

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

The baseline shapefile was loaded into the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) v6.1 software to perform rate calculations.

Process_Date: 2026

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

The baseline shapefile was projected in ArcGIS Pro v3.5.5 > Geoprocessing > Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations > Project. Parameters: Input Coordinate System - NAD_1983_2011_UTM_Zone_16N; Output Coordinate System - GCS_WGS_1984; transformation = WGS_1984_(ITRF08)_To_NAD_1983_2011.

Process_Date: 2026

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: String
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 4

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: WGS_1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: AL_baseline.shp
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table containing attribute information associated with the data set for Alabama.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: FID
Attribute_Definition:

Internal feature number used as a unique identifier of an object within a table primarily used in shapefiles.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape
Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Feature type.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DSAS_ID
Attribute_Definition:

Field required by the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) software. DSAS uses this value to determine the ordering sequence of transects when the baseline feature contains multiple segments. Individual segments are numbered sequentially alongshore.

Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1
Range_Domain_Maximum: 4

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

The entity and attribute information provided here describes the tabular data associated with the dataset. Please review the individual attribute descriptions for detailed information.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey - GS ScienceBase

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address
Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
City: Denver
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: United States

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-888-275-8747
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: [email protected]

Resource_Description:

The dataset contains the polyline baselines used for the analysis of shoreline data (SHP and other shapefile components), browse graphic, and the FGDC CSDGM 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 for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: Shapefile
Format_Version_Number: Esri ArcGIS Pro 3.5.5
Format_Specification: Esri polyline shapefile (compressed to ZIP format)
Format_Information_Content:

These files (.cpg, .dbf, .prj, .sbn, .sbx, .shp, .html, and .shx) are a collection of files with a common filename prefix and must be downloaded and stored in the same directory. Together they are the components of the shapefile and include FGDC CSDGM-compliant metadata in HTML format. Transfer size is in MB.

File_Decompression_Technique: Unzip
Transfer_Size: 0.012

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/P1JE2KSO
Network_Resource_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/69e2afc2b66b0195694c11e3

Network_Resource_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/69e2afc2b66b0195694c11e3

Access_Instructions:

The first link is to the USGS publication page, the second link is to the dataset page, and the third link downloads the data.

Fees: None

Technical_Prerequisites:

These data are available in a polyline shapefile format. The user must have software to read and process the data components of a shapefile.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20260622
Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Meredith G. Kratzmann
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: [email protected]
Contact_Instructions:

The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/SB_data_release/DR_P1JE2KSO/AL_baseline_metadata.html>