Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in determining the effects that variations of spatial geotechnical sediment properties have on geomorphic response during storm impacts. This effort will advance capabilities to predict impacts of storms along the Nation's coastline. Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, which caused major damage ($50–65 billion) during the 2022 hurricane season, demonstrated increased stakeholder needs for data and tools to prepare for severe events. Risk models in coastal environments are needed to address multi-hazard threat sources including coastal flooding and erosion. In order to increase the security of the Nation, "We want a resilient national infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, resist and thwart foreign threats, and prevent or mitigate any events that might harm the American people or disrupt the American economy", [National Security Strategy of the United States of America, Nov. 2025, page 3; 2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf]. Predictions of these impacts require the concurrent simulation of ocean currents, water levels, wave groups, and coastal geomorphological evolution. It has been shown that coastal geotechnical variability can have a profound effect on the geomorphic response during extreme storm events, either enhancing or hindering the onset of barrier island breaching that can increase inland flooding. Geotechnical factors such as sediment porosity, grain size, and critical erosion stress can alter the beach response during conditions ranging from calm, moderate, to high intensity impacts. The USGS seeks a partner for research to advance a coupled ocean-wave-sediment modeling system for predictions of geomorphic change due to variation in geotechnical sediment properties. Results will produce coastal science that supports storm and emergency preparedness for management of existing or proposed engineering, infrastructure, and coastal protection systems. This...