Tools
Interactive decision tools, mapviewers, and report cards to help you assess your risk to everyday and extreme impacts to help you prepare for and respond to changes in your environment.
Click on the arrow and/or tool title for a dropdown with a short description, a couple of typical questions that the tool will be able to answer, and links to more information.
Aquaculture in Virginia
Virginia Oyster Productivity Information Tool (2021)This tool has nine information cards with visual maps, graphics and mini-reports about the oyster aquaculture industry. A map viewer displays most of the data layers discussed in the mini-reports. Studies of oyster productivity and management boundaries helped determine where opportunity for aquaculture expansion exists in Virginia without generating new or added conflict with other users and sensitive habitats. (webpage) (tool) Can I grow oysters or restore an oyster reef at my location? |
Climate Change Adaptation
AdaptVAA web portal (single-point of access) for evidence-based planning for everyone engaged in climate adaptation. AdaptVA focuses on the physical and social vulnerabilities by integrating the best available science, legal guidance, and planning strategies through the use of interactive map viewers, story maps and policy guides. (more information) (webpage) |
Sea-Level Report CardsOur report cards have 3 components: the 2050 projection, recent trends in the rates of sea-level change, and an explanation of the processes affecting sea level at each of 32 localities along the U.S. East, Gulf, and West coasts. They will be updated by VIMS each year as annual tide-gauge data become available. (webpage) (also available in "forecasts" on AdaptVA.org) |
Flooding
Locality Road Flood Tool (2021)An interactive map for incorporating current and future road flooding into locality planning efforts. This tool shows how flood frequency will change over time and which additional areas will be inaccessible during the time of the flooding because some portion of their road network is underwater. (webpage) (tool). (The locality road tool was built to be used on a desktop computer, it will not work correctly on a cell-phone) |
Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS)Maps of floodplains used by the National Flood Insurance Program. These maps are based on current/historic conditions and do not consider sea level rise potential along a shoreline. Helps communities, real estate agents, property buyers, and property owners understand an area's flood risk. (webpage) (tool) (also available in "tools" on AdaptVA.org) |
Tidewatch MapWater level forecasts shift with the tides by the hour. This tool makes it easier to visualize and time impacts to roads, properties, and structures over the next 36 hours based on current tidal and storm-surge conditions. (webpage) (tool) (also available in "forecasts" on AdaptVA.org) |
Shoreline Management
Virginia Coastal Resources Tool (2022)A map viewer and three dashboards display shoreline conditions throughout coastal Virginia based on the latest shoreline and tidal marsh inventory. The Virginia Coastal Viewer map layers include shoreline structures, tidal marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, sea level rise scenarios, and different base maps. The Shoreline Inventory Dashboards combine a map with summary statistics by locality or river system, while the Shoreline Management Model Dashboard displays shoreline best management practices based on characteristics at the time of the analysis. (interactive tool) How many miles of tidal shoreline are in Virginia and each locality?Where are tidal marshes located? |
Virginia's Coastal Zone Locality PortalsGeneral and locality specific shoreline management guidance for all coastal zone localities. This is a gateway to current and historic shoreline management information, including interactive mapping tools, shoreline and tidal marsh inventory reports, sea-level rise and flooding information, GIS data for downloading, and other locality-specific VIMS shoreline publications. (webpage) (locality portals) |
Self-Guided Decision Tools (2020)Interactive (Shoreline Decision Support Tool) and static decision trees that lead users through questions about shoreline conditions to help choose the most effective erosion control strategy based on surrounding shoreline conditions. (webpage/static trees) (interactive tool) (more information is available in your locality's CCRMP) |
Environmental Justice
Elizabeth River Environmental Justice Tool (2021)This tool was developed in collaboration with The Elizabeth River Project for the siting of initiatives within the Elizabeth River Watershed, Virginia. It allows planners to deliberately focus on equity for historically marginalized communities within the Elizabeth River Watershed. Combining social and environmental data sets, the EREJT is an environmental justice resource that can be used across disciplines to address racial disparities while addressing critical environmental issues impacting the communities. (tool) What areas would benefit the most (socially and by reducing heat island effects) from additional tree planting and greenspace creation? Which socially vulnerable communities may be exposed to toxins from nearby superfund sites as sea level rises? |