Tools


The NOAA Coastal Services Center understands data, coastal management issues, and technology. Putting these three bases of knowledge together has resulted in a strong suite of helpful tools that are available from the Internet, free of charge.

Decision-Support Tools

Hazard Assessment Tool
This easy-to-use tool provides instructions on a map that citizens use to download information about the various hazards that might impact a location.

Hurricane Evacuation Zones Map Tool
Use this template to develop a mapping application that citizens can use to find their hurricane evacuation zones.

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool
Use this website to help communities assess and prioritize the precautionary measures that make a community more resilient.

Nonpoint Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool
This complex yet user-friendly geographic information system (GIS) extension, N-SPECT, is used to predict water-quality impacts from nonpoint pollution and erosion.

Impervious Surface Analysis Tool
This tool is used to calculate the percentage of impervious surface in a user-selected geographic area and to estimate how change in land use management will affect imperviousness.

CanVis
Use this visualization tool to add docks, buildings, and other structures to the background picture of your choosing to “see” potential visual impacts from a proposed development.

Habitat Priority Planner
This software allows users to develop maps of their area and add whatever components they deem important (fishing areas, places of historical significance, etc.).

Historical Hurricane Tracks
Input a zip code or other location information and access past tropical cyclone tracks and information.

Multipurpose Marine Cadastre
The Multipurpose Marine Cadastre project is building a marine information system for the outer continental shelf and state waters. The data and information contained in this system are used to address a range of issues, including the demand for alternative energy.

Legislative Atlas
Pinpoint a place of interest and use this program to download information about the various ocean-related laws, policies, and jurisdictions.

Benthic Terrain Modeler
The Benthic Terrain Modeler is a collection of GIS-based tools that coastal and marine resource managers use, with bathymetric data sets, to map the deepwater benthic environment.

Data-Manipulation Tools

Lidar Data Handler
This tool helps users manipulate lidar data using GIS.

Chart Viewer
This software allows users to display a BSB format raster nautical chart in a GIS environment.

NOAA Nautical Chart Reprojector
This stand-alone application is a companion to the Chart Viewer and is used to read the nautical chart’s BSB format file and reproject it to the user’s specifications, outputting in either BSB or TIFF format.

Electronic Navigational Chart Tools
Electronic navigational charts (ENCs) contain many useful data layers for ocean and coastal planning but are contained in a complex international format. The Center has developed tools that help simplify the conversion and visualization of ENCs in a GIS environment.

Mapping Storm Surge Zones
A mapping application is being developed that allows users to see how potential storm surge might impact critical facilities, infrastructure, vulnerable populations, etc. Shallow coastal flooding advisories are being coupled with storm surge zones and hazards planning data.

Community Resilience and Vulnerability Assessment Tool
This product, in the final stages of development, will help communities assess their vulnerability and resilience to weather and climate hazards and develop strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Case studies will provide examples of how risk, vulnerability, and resilience data can be used for multiple planning purposes.