| ArcGIS REST Services Directory |
| Home > services > RSM_Navigation_Sediment_Placement_Data (FeatureServer) | | API Reference |
The USACE RSM Program funded APTIM and Elko Coastal Consulting to inventory Federal navigation projects Nationwide to determine the extent to which Regional Sediment Management (RSM) goals and beneficial use of dredged material have been implemented across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Districts at the project and District levels. Data from the USACE Institute for Water Resources (IWR) Navigation Data Center’s Dredging Information System (DIS) (http://www.navigationdatacenter.us/data/datadrgsel.htm) were utilized and considerably refined using District managed information and data. A web-application, a District Specific/Quality Checked (QC) database, and a database of USACE DIS data specific to this project were produced. Also now visible is a separate online geodatabase called the ASBPA National Beach Nourishment Database which inventories U.S. nourishment projects (volume, length, cost) since the 1920’s.
In this study, the USACE DIS database is a largely unedited database extracted from the DIS. Due to varying degrees of data completeness, this study undertook a data refinement process to improve the information in the USACE DIS. The data refinement process described here transformed the USACE DIS into the District Specific/QC database.
This was done through interviews, literature search, and the inclusion of additional District-specific data provided by individual Districts that often represent more detailed information on dredging activities than available in the DIS. Several Districts provided an internally-maintained database for dredging projects. For the other Districts, the DIS data were manually edited to reflect the District specific information provided by the District during the interview and review process. The District Specific/QC database represents a customized, quality-checked database generated by this study. In this report, the term “placement” generally refers to the beneficial use of dredged material and the term “disposal” refers to taking sediment out of the littoral system in a non-beneficial manner.
RESULTS: Of the approximately 200 to 300 Mcy of sediment dredged annually by USACE (EPA and USACE, 2007), this study analyzed an average of 210 Mcy removed annually from navigation projects from 1998 to 2017. USACE estimates that 20 to 30 percent of the total volume dredged is currently placed beneficially (EPA and USACE, 2007). The USACE DIS confirms this statistic with an estimate of beneficial placement at 25% of the total volume dredged. However, the refined District Specific/QC database indicates that, in fact, 38% or 80 Mcy/yr of navigation sediment is placed beneficially.
This study also resulted in a substantial reduction in the volume of unknown disposal type. According to the USACE DIS, 43.1 Mcy/yr of navigation sediment was characterized as having an unknown disposal type. The refined District Specific/QC database identifies 5.8 Mcy/yr with an unknown disposal type. Additional interviews and refinement of this database may result in further reduction of the unknown volume.
Finally, the online tool has been linked to the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) National Beach Nourishment Database, also funded by the USACE RSM Program. Once turned on, this layer becomes visible as the users zooms into smaller spatial scales. It represents all known federal and non-federal beach nourishment efforts nationwide. Pop up windows include a link that opens a new browser in the ASBPA site. More information is available under the about tab on: https://gim2.aptim.com/ASBPANationwideRenourishment.