5. MSL is defined as the zero
elevation for a local area.
MSL is usually described as a
surface that is the arithmetic mean
of hourly water elevations
observed over a specific 19-year
cycle.
This definition averages out tidal
highs and lows caused by the
changing effects of the
gravitational forces from the moon
and sun.
WHAT IS SEA LEVEL?
6. HOW DO WE TRACK SEA LEVEL?
TIDE GAUGES
SATELLITES
GEOLOGY
7. A RISING RIVER
‣ Hudson River is over
12” higher than a
century ago
‣ 21st Century SLR is
much more rapid and
seems to be
accelerating
1856-2010: 1.7mm/yr
1996-2013: 3.7mm/yr
rolling 5 year average
2000 - 2011: 6.76mm/yr
Hudson River Sea Level 1856-2013
(in mm, observed at Manhattan
23. SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS
FOR HUDSON RIVER
Shown is the central range (middle 67%) of values from model-based probabilities rounded to the nearest inch.
2 The rapid ice melt scenario is based on acceleration of recent rates of ice melt in the Greenland and West
Antarctic Ice sheets and paleoclimate studies.
27. A NEW NORMAL
STORM SURGE EVENTS
‣ Number or frequency
of events: trend unclear
‣ Higher intensity events
‣ Greater frequency of
surge events in warmer
years
33. SEA-LEVEL RISE IN
THE HUDSON RIVER
ESTUARY
Tools
‣ Sea Level Rise
Mapper
www.scenichudson.org/slr
Sea Level Rise Mapper
Sea level rise is accelerating along the Hudson River,
promising to transform riverfront communities and the
ecology of the Estuary. This site provides tools and resources
for communities to plan for a more resilient future.
About Sea Level Rise
News
Mapping
Waterfront Forums
Task Forces
Kingston
Resources
Legal Tools
Smart Growth
Principles
Science Sources
Case Studies
SEA LEVEL RISE
34. SEA-LEVEL RISE IN THE
HUDSON RIVER
ESTUARY
Tools
‣ Inundation Zones
‣ FEMA Flood Zones
‣ Census Information
‣ Tidal Wetlands &
SAV
‣ Municipal Assets
‣ Brownfields and
HazMat sites
‣ Community
Summaries
Sea Level Rise Mapper
Sea level rise is accelerating along the Hudson River,
promising to transform riverfront communities and the
ecology of the Estuary. This site provides tools and resources
for communities to plan for a more resilient future.
About Sea Level Rise
News
Mapping
Waterfront Forums
Task Forces
Kingston
Resources
Legal Tools
Smart Growth
Principles
Science Sources
Case Studies
SEA LEVEL RISE
47. THE FUTURE OF TIDAL HABITATS
5,000 years ago Today
sediment and peat
formation
Future
wetland migration
potential where there is
vacant land
complete wetland loss
where shoreline is
hardened
50. GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE
‣ How can we reduce risks
to people, property and
nature?
‣ What should our goals be
for addressing climate
change?
“Skate to where the puck is
going to be...” - Wayne
Gretsky
“Manage the unavoidable,
and avoid the
unmanageable”
- Rip Rapson
51. RESOURCES
‣ SCENIC HUDSON
www.scenichudson.org/slr
‣ CLIMATE CENTRAL
www.sealevel.climatecentral.or
g
‣ US GLOBAL CHANGE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
www.globalchange.gov/browse
/educators
‣ HUDSON RIVER
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS OBSERVING
SYSTEM
www.hrecos.org