Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Advisor 1
Pengfei Xue
Committee Member 1
Guy Meadows
Committee Member 2
Brian D. Barkdoll
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive assessment of coastal hazards along the southern shores of Lake Superior, encompassing the interplay of static water levels, surges, and the amplifying effects of wave dynamics. Employing 51 years of historical water level data from five gauge stations in the US portion of Lake Superior, the study conducts extreme value analysis to estimate return levels over various return periods (25, 50, 100, and 500 years) for static water levels and surges. In parallel, Significant Wave Heights (SWH) data generated from the Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model is calibrated through a multi-step procedure based on historical SWH data from seven Wave Information System (WIS) stations. The calibrated SWAN model provides complete spatiotemporal variability of SWH and is subsequently compared with WIS station data to validate the amplification procedure. This information is integrated for creating total wave hazard elevation contour plots and subsequently inundation maps to assess the risks associated with wave-induced coastal flooding across the entire southern shores of Lake Superior. The findings underscore the intricate interplay between static water levels, surges, and wave dynamics, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of wave forces in coastal resilience planning and flood mitigation strategies for the rural regions of Lake Superior.
Recommended Citation
Mallik, Saumik, "ASSESSING WAVE DYNAMICS INDUCED COASTAL FLOODING ALONG THE SOUTHERN SHORES OF LAKE SUPERIOR", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2024.