2009 Regional Coordination WorkshopSeattle, WA

August 25, 2009

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NERACOOS

Part 1: Project Status Report

Development of the Northeastern Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System

PI: John Trowbridge

Co-PIs: Philip Bogden, Al Hanson, Jon Hare, Jim O’Donnell, Neal Pettigrew, Evan Richert, Brian

Rothschild, Doug Vandemark, Peter Smith

Project Duration:3 years; start date 1 Oct 07; currently year 2 (just)

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Project Status Report (complete, future)

Project Schedule & Milestones (existing system):Maintain buoys + shipboard + wave model in Gulf of MaineMaintain buoys in Long Island SoundDissemination of Gulf of Maine & Long Island Sound data

Project Schedule & Milestones (nutrients):Evaluate, acquire, calibrate, & field test nutrient sensorsDeploy nutrient sensors on LIS and Great Bay buoysInterpret nutrient data and deliver to end users

Project Schedule & Milestones (NECOFS model):Integrate NECOFS elements (FVCOM, WRF, SWAVE)Develop inundation demonstration products (Scituate & Saco)demo NECOFS hindcasts & forecasts at selected sites

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Project Status Report (continued)Significant Accomplishments: • Success of data integration demonstrated on new Web Presence,

showing seamless integration of data from NOAA and regional subsystems including: UMaine, MVCO, UNH CDIP, UNH Great Bay, LISICOS, 4 NERRS…

• Continued use of IOOS-funded Gulf of Maine buoy data in non-IOOS funded HAB modeling and monitoring.

• Use of IOOS information to develop water quality criteria in NH• Use of Long Island Sound buoy data to interpret long-term

measurements of temperature in assessment of precipitous decline in lobster catches

• Operational delivery of forecast information to NWS as well as novel product development and validation

• Field deployment of nutrient sensors with successful strategy for mitigation of biofouling

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Keys to Success and Potential Challenges

What worked well?• Close alignment with Regional Ocean Governance Council

• Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC)• Adopted same priority areas

• Continued support and leverage of NERACOOS efforts by regional entities• e.g., Ocean Data Partnership (EPA / USGS Exchange Network,

WHOI HAB work, …• Establishment of Independent Office for the Regional Association

• UnconflictedChallenges• Already crowded seascape with many interested partiesResolving challenges• Communication and cooperation• Recognizing strengths activities of other organizations

• Working to integrate, leverage, and not duplicate efforts

Current Status: Product Examples• Maritime Safety and Maritime Operations

– Marine transportation • Real-time maritime operation decision support (real-time buoy conditions)

– Commercial from Pilots to lobstermen• NWS decision support

– Meteorological forecasts delivered to two regional forecast centers– Oceanographic (circulation, wave) forecasts to NWS offices– Marine Visibility (buoy observations and future model product) – Marine Icing Potential product being validated by NWS

– Search and Rescue (CG decision support)• Buoy information (wind, wave, water temp, visibility)• HF Radar feed being incorporated into SAROPS• Exploring oceanographic forecasts SAROPS feed

– Ocean Energy• Assisting states in MSP (assessing resource potential, climatogical oceanographic conditions from model

fields, etc.)• Direct observations funded by developer

 

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Current Status: Product Examples• Coastal Hazards

– Splash over / coastal damage decision support tool used by NWS in storm forecasts

– Coastal inundation – house / street level under development at two locations

– Real-time buoy conditions

• Ecosystem Health and Climate Trends– Assisting states in MSP (climatogical oceanographic conditions from

model fields, etc.)– LIS Hypoxia – improved model for TMDL development– Fisheries – Northern Shrimp stock assessment tool (GoMOOS), LIS

lobster habitat assessment– Eelgrass habitat protection through water clarity studies

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Current Status: Product Examples• Water Quality

– HABs – Support established efforts in Gulf of Maine• Buoy and satellite measurements in support of non-IOOS funded

monitoring, modeling and research• Early warning system – Environmental Sample Processor (ESP)

purchased• Monitoring in the Bay of Fundy (Canadian partners)

– Nutrient criteria• Real-time and high temporal frequency nutrient sesnors (LIS, NB,

& GB)• Eelgrass habitat protection (GB)

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Current Status: Products

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Products

Level OneMinimal processing

Level TwoValue-added

RT DataModel

Outputs SatelliteRT

DataDecision Support Maps

Time Series

Ecosystem/Climate Trends X   X X X X   X

Water Quality X   X   X

Marine Operations X X   X X X   X

Coastal Hazards   X   X     X   X   X  

Current Status: Observations

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Variables/ PlatformsPlatforms

Fixed- in water, multi-purpose

Fixed- in water single purpose

Fixed – on land Transects

Remote Sensing

Physical 9,18 4 (6) 1,2  2

Meteorological 9,6 4  1

Chemical 3,0 1,2  

Biological 6,1 1,2  2

Geological          Color code: X# if funded exclusively by NOAA IOOS funds; X if combination of NOAA IOOS funds and other; X is non-NOAA IOOS funds

Current Status: Modeling and DMAC subsystems

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Modeling* Region-wide** Sub-region Not at allAtmospheric   F-O  F-O  Circulation   F-O  F-O  Inundation    In development  Wave   F-O  H  Hydrological   X    Sediment transport    H  Water Quality/Ecosystem F-O HFisheries X

DMAC Complete In-progress Not at allRA Website that serves data X

DIF - working to ensure interoperability XXXXRegional Data Portal X

* See guidelines for definitions **Regionwide = entire RA

Map 1a: Existing Observing Assets

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Map 1b: Leveraged Assets

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Part 2: Looking Forward:Future Plans

Assuming $5 million of funding per year, please indicate what your future plans are for your RA. The $5 million should cover activities currently funded by the RA Planning Grants and the RCOOS.

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Products

Level One Level TwoRT Data

Model Outputs Satellite

RT Data

Decision Support Maps

Time Series

Ecosystem/Climate Trends X X   X X X X   X

Water Quality X X   X X X X   X

Marine Operations X X   X X X   X

Coastal Hazards   X   X     X   X   X   X

Future Plans: Major Products

Check “x” all that apply. In your verbal description, you should point out the major differences between this and the current system

•

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Variables/ Platforms

Fixed- in water, multi-purpose

Fixed- in water single purpose

Fixed – on land Transects

Remote Sensing

Physical 25+ 9 2  1

Meteorological 25 4 2  1

Chemical 25 2  

Biological 25 2  1

Geological           1

Future Plans: Observations

Indicate the # of observations needed for your system

Future Plan: Modeling and DMAC

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Modeling* Region-wide Sub-region Not at allAtmospheric  X   X  Circulation   X  X  Inundation  X  X  Wave  X  X  Hydrologic  X  X  Sediment transport  X  X  Water quality/ecosystem X XFisheries

DMAC Yes In-progress NoRA Website that serves data XXX

DIF - working to ensure interoperability XXXRegional Data Portal XXX

* See Guidelines for definitions ** Region-wide means entire RA

Future Plans: Map

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Funding Scenario

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Briefly describe the major CUTS to the subsystem under the reduced funding scenarios

Funding Scenarios $3 million $1 million

Modeling

Water quality modeling suspended, others reduced

Bare bones oceanographic and meteorological only

Observing

5 buoys, 9 HF Radars, 7 Gliders, 1 transect funded 8 buoys funded

DMAC and Product Development

New products decreased. Current products sustained.

No new products. Maintaining current products difficult

RA Management and Outreach

Outreach funded at 40% No outreach funded