Coastal bluff stability assessment for Homer, Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: Coastal bluff stability assessment for Homer, Alaska
Abstract:
Coastal bluff stability assessment for Homer, Alaska, Report of Investigation 2022-5, evaluates the stability of coastal bluffs in Homer, Alaska, using aerial imagery and modern elevation data. We produce maps of historical shoreline change and an alongshore bluff instability hazard score. Shoreline change is calculated by comparing the bluff top and toe positions in historical and modern orthorectified aerial imagery. Since 1951, Homer's coastal bluffs have eroded at an average rate of -1.0 ft/yr (-0.29 m/yr). Key indicators of bluff instability are historical shoreline change rates, bluff slope and height, vegetation, existing erosion protection structures, and water drainage. Most of the Homer coastline has a low to medium bluff instability hazard score. These coastal hazard assessment products can guide decisions to reduce risk. These products are released as a DGGS publication component with an open end-user license. All files can be downloaded from the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys website (http://doi.org/10.14509/30908).
Supplemental_Information:
baseline:    Shore-parallel line from which transects are cast	
bluff_toe_2019_bare_earth:    Bluff toe delineated from 2019 digital elevation model	
bluff_toe_all_veg:    Bluff toe delineated from imagery	
bluff_top_all_veg:    Bluff top edge delineated from imagery	
bluff_top_2019_bare_earth:    Bluff top edge delineated from 2019 digital elevation model	
DSAS_ave_rates:    Average shoreline change of top and toe veg lines	
DSAS_ave_rates_clip_toe:    Same as DSAS_ave_rates, but transects clipped to bluff toe	
DSAS_toe_rates:     Shoreline change statistics for bluffToe_all_veg	
DSAS_top_rates:    Shoreline change statistics for bluffTop_all_veg	
DSAS_transects:    transects drawn perpendicular to Baseline to measure shoreline change.	
slope_stability_transects:    Alongshore transects with shoreline change statistics and instability scores
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Buzard, R.M., and Overbeck, J.R., 2022, Coastal bluff stability assessment for Homer, Alaska: Report of Investigation RI 2022-5, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 22 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:50,000
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -151.730844
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -151.371800
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 59.689761
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 59.631397
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 1951
    Ending_Date: 2022
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report, data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a vector data set.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 5
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -153
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest .00000001
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest .00000001
      Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
      The horizontal datum used is NAD83 (2011).
      The ellipsoid used is GRS 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    baseline
    Shore-parallel line from which transects are cast (Source: DGGS)
    DSAS_ID
    Identification number of baseline (Source: this report) Long Integer
    bluff_toe_2019_bare_earth
    Bluff toe delineated from 2019 digital elevation model (Source: DGGS)
    DSAS_date
    Approximate shoreline acquisition date (Source: this report) MM\DD\YYYY
    DSAS_uncy
    Relative uncertainty of shoreline delineation (Source: this report) Meters
    bluff_toe_all_veg
    Bluff toe delineated from imagery (Source: DGGS)
    DSAS_date
    Approximate shoreline acquisition date (Source: this report) MM\DD\YYYY
    DSAS_uncy
    Relative uncertainty of shoreline delineation (Source: this report) Meters
    bluff_top_all_veg
    Bluff top edge delineated from imagery (Source: DGGS)
    DSAS_date
    Approximate shoreline acquisition date (Source: this report) MM\DD\YYYY
    DSAS_uncy
    Relative uncertainty of shoreline delineation (Source: this report) Meters
    bluff_top_2019_bare_earth
    Bluff top edge delineated from 2019 digital elevation model (Source: DGGS)
    DSAS_date
    Approximate shoreline acquisition date (Source: this report) MM\DD\YYYY
    DSAS_uncy
    Relative uncertainty of shoreline delineation (Source: this report) Meters
    DSAS_ave_rates
    Average shoreline change of top and toe veg lines (Source: DGGS)
    TransectID
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    Azimuth
    Transect angle clockwise from north (Source: this report) Degrees
    TCD
    Total cumulative distance of transect along baseline (Source: this report) Meters
    EPR_ave
    Average end point rate - the distance of oldest and youngest shorelines divided by timespan (Source: this report) Meters per year
    EPR_ave_unc
    Uncertainty of end-point rate (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WLR_ave
    Average weighted linear regression rate of change of the bluff toe and top edge (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WCI90_ave
    Standard error of weighted linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    DSAS_ave_rates_clip_toe
    Same as DSAS_ave_rates, but transects clipped to bluff toe (Source: DGGS)
    TransectID
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    Azimuth
    Transect angle clockwise from north (Source: this report) Degrees
    TCD
    Total cumulative distance of transect along baseline (Source: this report) Meters
    EPR_ave
    Average end point rate - the distance of oldest and youngest shorelines divided by timespan (Source: this report) Meters per year
    EPR_ave_unc
    Uncertainty of end-point rate (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WLR_ave
    Average weighted linear regression rate of change of the bluff toe and top edge (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WCI90_ave
    Standard error of weighted linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    DSAS_toe_rates
    Shoreline change statistics for bluff_toe_all_veg (Source: DGGS)
    TransectID
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    BaselineID
    Identification number of baseline the transect was cast from (Source: this report) Long Integer
    TransOrder
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    Azimuth
    Transect angle clockwise from north (Source: this report) Degrees
    ShrCount
    Count of shorelines used for statistic (Source: this report) Long Integer
    TCD
    Total cumulative distance of transect along baseline (Source: this report) Meters
    SCE
    Shoreline change envelope - greatest distance between shorelines (Source: this report) Meters
    NSM
    Net-shoreline movement - distance between the oldest and youngest shorelines (Source: this report) Meters
    EPR
    End point rate - distance of oldest and youngest shorelines divided by timespan (Source: this report) Meters per year
    EPRunc
    End point rate uncertainty (Source: this report) Meters per year
    LRR
    Linear regression rate of change (Source: this report) Meters per year
    LR2
    R-squared value of linear regression (Source: this report) Double Integer
    LSE
    Standard error of linear regression (Source: this report) Meters per year
    LCI90
    Standard error of linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WLR
    Weighted linear regression rate of change (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WR2
    R-squared value of weighted linear regression (Source: this report) Double Integer
    WSE
    Standard error of weighted linear regression (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WCI90
    Standard error of weighted linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    DSAS_top_rates
    Shoreline change statistics for bluff_top_all_veg (Source: DGGS)
    TransectID
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    BaselineID
    Identification number of baseline the transect was cast from (Source: this report) Long Integer
    TransOrder
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    Azimuth
    Transect angle clockwise from north (Source: this report) Degrees
    ShrCount
    Count of shorelines used for statistic (Source: this report) Long Integer
    TCD
    Total cumulative distance of transect along baseline (Source: this report) Meters
    SCE
    Shoreline change envelope - greatest distance between shorelines (Source: this report) Meters
    NSM
    Net-shoreline movement - distance between the oldest and youngest shorelines (Source: this report) Meters
    EPR
    End point rate - distance of oldest and youngest shorelines divided by timespan (Source: this report) Meters per year
    EPRunc
    End point rate uncertainty (Source: this report) Meters per year
    LRR
    Linear regression rate of change (Source: this report) Meters per year
    LR2
    R-squared value of linear regression (Source: this report) Double Integer
    LSE
    Standard error of linear regression (Source: this report) Meters per year
    LCI90
    Standard error of linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WLR
    Weighted linear regression rate of change (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WR2
    R-squared value of weighted linear regression (Source: this report) Double Integer
    WSE
    Standard error of weighted linear regression (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WCI90
    Standard error of weighted linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    DSAS_transects
    transects drawn perpendicular to Baseline to measure shoreline change (Source: DGGS)
    BaselineID
    Identification number of baseline the transect was cast from (Source: this report) Long Integer
    TransOrder
    Transect identification number (Source: this report) Long Integer
    Azimuth
    Transect angle clockwise from north (Source: this report) Degrees
    slope_stability_transects
    Alongshore transects with shoreline change statistics and instability scores (Source: DGGS)
    profile
    Profile number (Source: this report) Short integer
    profStartX
    X coordinate of profile start point (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    profStartY
    Y coordinate of profile start point (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    profEndX
    X coordinate of profile end point (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    profEndY
    Y coordinate of profile end point (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    toeX
    X coordinate of bluff toe on profile (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    toeY
    Y coordinate of bluff toe on profile (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    toeZ
    Elevation of bluff toe on profile (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    topX
    X coordinate of bluff top edge on profile (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    topY
    Y coordinate of bluff top edge on profile (Source: this report) NAD83 (2011) UTM Zone 5N
    topZ
    Elevation of bluff top edge on profile (Source: this report) Meters NAVD88 (GEOID12B)
    vegPercCover
    Percentage of vegetation above 1.0 m tall on slope (Source: this report) Percent (0 to 100)
    vegAveHeight
    Average height of vegetation on slope (Source: this report) Meters
    bluffHeight
    Height of bluff from toe to top edge (Source: this report) Meters
    bluffWidth
    Width of bluff from toe to top edge (Source: this report) Meters
    slopePerc
    Angle of slope measured in slope percent (Source: this report) Slope percent
    slopeDeg
    Angle of slope measured in degrees (Source: this report) Degrees
    EPR
    Average end point rate - distance of oldest and youngest shorelines divided by timespan (Source: this report) Meters per year
    EPRUnc
    Uncertainty of end-point rate (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WLR
    Average weighted linear regression rate of change of the bluff toe and top edge (Source: this report) Meters per year
    WCI90
    Standard error of weighted linear regression slope with 90 percent confidence interval (Source: this report) Meters per year
    instArmor
    Instability score due to lack of armoring (Source: this report) 0 (very low) to 3 (high)
    instErosion
    Instability score due to erosion (Source: this report) 0 (very low) to 3 (high)
    instSlope
    Instability score due to slope angle and height (Source: this report) 0 (very low) to 3 (high)
    instVeg
    Instability score due to lack of vegetation (Source: this report) 0 (very low) to 3 (high)
    instDrainage
    Instability score due to drainage (Source: this report) 0 (very low) to 3 (high)
    instCombine
    Combined instability score (Source: this report) 0 (very low) to 3 (high)

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided funding through a Cooperative Agreement to the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys to complete this Coastal Bluff Stability Project under grant number EMS-2019-CA-00022-R05. We thank FEMA Cooperating Technical Partners Program, the City of Homer, and the Homer Planning Commission for supporting this work. Major improvements were made thanks to the thorough and insightful reviews by Bret Hig Higman, Chris Maio, Barrett Salisbury, and FEMA. Much of this study was possible thanks to the foundational work by Steve Baird and the Kachemak Bay National Estuarian Research Reserve.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.

Why was the data set created?

These coastal hazard assessment products can guide decisions to reduce risk.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Himmelstoss, E.A. and others, 2018 (source 1 of 1)
    Himmelstoss, E.A., Farris, A.S., Henderson, R.E., Kratzmann, M.G., Ergul, Ayhan, Zhang, Ouya, Zichichi, J.L., and Thieler, E.R., 2018, Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) Version 5.0 User Guide: Open-File Report OF 2018-1179, U.S. Geological Survey, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 110 p
    Type_of_Source_Media: ArcGIS extension
    Source_Contribution: data compilation and analysis
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2022 (process 1 of 1)
    Data compilation and analysis - This analysis focuses on two goals: (1) calculate historical bluff erosion and (2) estimate current bluff stability. Historical bluff erosion is computed using orthorectified aerial imagery and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS; Himmelstoss and others, 2018). Bluff stability is estimated by combining variables that factor into instability: height, slope angle, vegetation, drainage, erosion history, and shoreline armoring. A comprehensive description of the procedures and source data is available in the accompanying report. Data sources used in this process:
    • Himmelstoss, E.A. and others, 2018
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Buzard, R.M., 2021, Photogrammetry-derived historical orthoimagery for Homer, Alaska from 1951, 1952, 1964, and 1985: Raw Data File RDF 2021-21, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 10 p
    Reger, R.D., 1978, Bluff Point landslide, a massive ancient rock failure near Homer, Alaska: Geologic Report GR 61B, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: p. 5-9
    Salisbury, J.B., Daanen, R.P., and Herbst, A.M., 2021, Lidar-derived elevation models for Homer, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2021-2, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 6 p
    Suleimani, E.N., Nicolsky, D.J., and Salisbury, J.B., 2019, Updated tsunami inundation maps for Homer and Seldovia, Alaska: Report of Investigation RI 2018-5 v. 2, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 97 p., 11 sheets

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    This assessment is based on remotely sensed products and semi-automated techniques. This approach allows for a consistent metric to be applied across broad scales, but it is less accurate at small scales because it is unsupervised. The results are appropriate for regional-scale assessments of hazards, but localized interpretations should be made with critical judgment. DGGS staff have performed visual qualitative and quantitative assessments of each digitized line, orthorectified image, and calculated output values to ensure geologically reasonable results. The coastal bluff stability maps highlight existing hazards and are tools to guide decisions to improve community safety. However, various factors that are unknown or difficult to quantify could impact bluff stability. The accompanying report provides additional information about the procedures used to determine uncertainty values for shoreline positions and shoreline change statistics.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    The total uncertainty of each year's image orthorectification and shoreline delineation are quantified and discussed in the accompanying report. Users must recognize the scope and purpose of this study, the source data's limitations, and the uncertainties inherent to hazard modeling. We encourage users to reference the accompanying report when using the database output for purposes other than graphical displays.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This publication is part of a DGGS Report of Investigations (RI). An RI is the completed product of original research and analysis. RIs use professional cartography and undergo rigorous peer review, editing, and revision.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    not applicable

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? RI 2022-5
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 16-Dec-2022
Metadata author:
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Attn: Simone Montayne
Metadata Manager
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK
USA

(907)451-5020 (voice)
(907)451-5050 (FAX)
dggspubs@alaska.gov
Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Mon Dec 19 20:00:41 2022