Southeast Water Level Network

The Southeast Water Level Network is enhancing localized flood alerts, community resilience, and flood hazard monitoring in the face of storm surges, extreme rainfall, and rising sea levels. In collaboration with key partners and funding from NOAA’s Integrated Ocean Observing System, the network is deploying over 200 new water level stations across the Southeast.

Pictured is Russell Clark, from Georgia Tech, preparing to install a Smart Sea Level Sensor that measures water level height.

Our Purpose

With coastal communities facing the compound threat of storm surge, extreme rainfall, and rising sea level – SECOORA is supporting the installation and long-term operation of ~200 new water level stations in the Southeast. The Southeast Water Level Network will enable localized flooding alerts, improve community resilience, and monitor flooding hazards.

SECOORA, through funding from the NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System, is partnering with Coastal Carolina University, Georgia Tech, American Shore and Beach Preservation Association/Hohonu, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and many coastal communities to form the regional water level network.

“With today’s technology, every community should have access to real-time water level data exactly where they need it for emergency management, public safety, recreation, and to support infrastructure planning. This project brings basic information (“How high is the tide in my community right now?”) into the hands of the local decision makers who desperately need this type of data to manage coastal flood challenges.”

Dr. Nicole Elko, Dr. Nicole Elko, Executive Director, American Shore and Beach Preservation Association

Our Goals

The network will provide real-time local water level data to town managers, emergency managers, design engineers, and the public. This data is vital for monitoring coastal flooding, keeping citizens informed of hazardous conditions.

Communities can use the data when designing resilience and adaptation strategies to sea level rise and other climate impacts.

 

 

Our goals include:

  • Substantially expand real-time water level coverage
  • Partner with diverse community stakeholders to provide data to underserved populations
  • Contribute to state and local decision-support applications and alert systems

The proposed number of water level stations to be installed in each state in the Southeast.

40+ Florida

75+ Georgia

50+ South Carolina

10+ North Carolina

Water Level Data

Community
Observing

Are you a member of a coastal community that experiences flooding? Does flooding impede your ability to travel around your town? Communities can partner with the Southeast Water Level Network to install a water level sensor in their chosen location and receive the data personalized for their needs.

Join our growing network of community partners:

North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida
Currituck County Town of Pawleys Island Georgetown County Camden County City of Fernandina Beach
Town of Duck Town of Hilton Head King’s Bay Naval Base Town of Palm Beach
Town of Nags Head City of Beaufort City of Savannah Captiva Island
Dare County City of Folly Beach Chatham Emergency Management Agency Palm Beach County
Hyde County Town of Sullivan’s Island City of Tybee Island City of Jupiter
Town of Beaufort City of Charleston City of Garden City Palm Beach County Business Development Board
Indian Beach Dorchester County City of St Marys City of West Palm Beach
Carteret County Florence County City of Brunswick City of Boca Raton
Town of Holden Beach Georgetown County Harambee House Citizens for Environmental Justice City of Fort Pierce
Town of St. James Horry County Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division Miami-Dade County
Town of Sunset Beach Marion County Skidaway Institute of Oceanography City of Coral Gables
Ocean Isle Beach Richland County The Landings Association City of Fort Lauderdale
Village of Bald Head Bull River Marina Monroe County
Town of St. JamesSurf City Ossabaw Island Foundation Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program
Topsail Beach

Governance: Advisory Committee

An Advisory Committee offers expert guidance, ensuring the network’s activity aligns with local community, coastal manager, coastal manager, and scientific research needs.

The Advisory Committee Charge:

  • Evaluate the cost, accuracy, and reporting frequencies for the systems being installed;
  • Participate in annual system evaluation of capital and operational costs;
  • Evaluate the quality assurance and quality control standards for the water level network;
  • Assist with identification of priority locations for new stations, including:
    • Ensure a portion of the water level stations are being deployed in underserved communities, which includes environmental justice communities;
    • Ensure water level stations are sufficiently filling gaps in the coverage area;
    • Guide the development of the online and mobile water level data viewer.

Governance: Advisory Committee Members

Holly Edmond

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Douglas Marcy

NOAA Office for Coastal Management

David Sumner, Ph.D.

USGS Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center

Victor Engel, Ph.D.c

USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center

Dwayne Porter

University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health

Gary Thompson

North Carolina Emergency Management’s Risk Management

Laurie Hogan

Hydrologic Services Division of the National Weather Service

Raimundo Rodulfo

City of Coral Gables

Charles White

Emergency Management Agency for Camden County Georgia

Jennifer Kline

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division

Sarah Spiegler

North Carolina State University

David Wolcott

NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services

Technical Assistance

We have developed Standard Operating Procedures that guide operations for the Southeast Water Level Network.

Acquiring Vertical Elevation of Water Level Sensors

Access PDF

Water Level Station Installation, Maintenance, and Removal

Access PDF

Water Level Site Reconnaissance – Desktop and Field Procedures

Access PDF

Want to learn more? Connect with us!

Interested in learning about the Southeast Water Level Network? Need a question answered? Send us an email. We are standing by and happy to help!

Our Partners

Our members influence and guide all our endeavors to help make us a trusted source for coastal ocean information in the Southeast US.