Abstract

Sea Level Rise: Will San Diego Be Underwater?
Track: Water Resources
Authors: Kurt Baron, Michael Naughton, Rebecca Yalcin, Rick Gersberg, Kayo Watanabe

The purpose of this study was to determine seal level rise conditions under different scenarios, map the interaction of a rising sea on wetlands, beaches, and infrastructure, and create visualizations of these interactions. Anticipated sea surfaces were modeled for 2050 and 2100. For each of these years a comparison was made between present day and future Mean Tide Level (MTL) as well as Mean Higher High Water (MHHW), yearly peak, 10-year peak, and 100-year peak tide. Areas of potential inundation were determined, and the results were then integrated into a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS). This system allows planners and policy makers to focus their efforts on where to mitigate the effects of sea level rise.


Kurt Baron
WEST Consultants, Inc.
11440 W. Bernardo Court
Suite 360
San Diego, California 92127-1644
United States
Phone: 858-487-9378
Fax: 858-487-9448
E-mail: kbaron@westconsultants.com

Michael Naughton
SDSU Graduate School of Public Health
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182
United States
Phone: 619-594-6317
E-mail: michaelpnaughton@yahoo.com

Rebecca Yalcin
WEST Consultants, Inc.
2601 25th Street SE
Suite 450
Salem, Oregon 97302
United States
Phone: 503-485-5490
E-mail: ryalcin@westconsultants.com

Rick Gersberg
SDSU Graduate School of Public Health
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182
United States
Phone: 619-594-6317
E-mail: rgersber@mail.sdsu.edu

Kayo Watanabe
SDSU Graduate School of Public Health
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182
United States
Phone: 619-594-6317
E-mail: kayowatanabe214@hotmail.com