Numerically Modeling Flooding Susceptibility of the United States Naval Academy
Abstract
Urban flooding affects many of the worlds low-lying, coastal cities today. Whether induced by prolonged periods of rainfall, storm surge, or river overtopping, these issues pose as a hazard to human life as well as a source of damage to urban infrastructure. The United States Naval Academy is one location that is especially impacted by urban flooding. Due to glacial isostatic adjustment and reclaimed soil consolidation, this area experiences subsidence as well as the effects of sea level rise, which make it susceptible to urban flooding. As the frequency of these flooding events increases, there is an increasing need for an accurate forecasting model of urban flooding on and around the Naval Academy. This study aimed to examine the potential effects that future sea level rise will have on the Naval Academy. Delft3D FM was used to create a numerical model of the Severn River, which was then used to simulate environmental conditions during an October 2021 flooding event. Various parameters were altered to test model sensitivities and calibration was conducted with the use of qualitative and quantitative data from the event. These conditions were defined as a baseline extreme flooding event and were used to gauge the increase in inundation under three different sea level rise scenarios. In each scenario, the model showed significant increases in total inundated area by the year 2100 when subjected to conditions similar to the October 2021 flooding event.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213121
Entities
People
- Colin Brennan
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School