FRF Sound Observing System Grant uri icon

abstract

  • The FRF Measurements Program has a 34-year record of coastal observations including winds, waves, currents, water levels, and beach and bar morphology. These data have become an important national resource and have been used in literally thousands of scientific and engineering investigations, publications, conference presentations and model advancement studies. The FRF is currently expanding its Measurements Program to include winds, waves, currents, water levels and morphology of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (APES). The impetus for this work is the current lack of APES monitoring, the significant need to better understand estuarine dynamics and hazards (e.g., storm surge and sea-level rise), and the expertise of the FRF in coastal monitoring. Hurricane Irene (2011) was a significant flooding event for sound communities and provided an excellent example for the need of APES research. We will refer to the proposed network as the Sound Observing System (SOS), and we plan to grow the SOS through local, state and federal collaborations. For this initiative, two new stations will be established within the APES: one in Currituck Sound on the FRF property, and one in Roanoke Sound, near Manteo, NC. In addition, one existing station will be re-occupied to capitalize on existing infrastructure in Albemarle Sound, near Roanoke Island, NC. It is especially important during these times of global change to update, enhance and modernize the FRF data collection systems. To meet these challenging needs, the FRF seeks to establish a contract for both onsite and offsite technical and engineering support to update and enhance the existing station in the Albemarle Sound. To maximize efficiency and save money for the Federal government, University of North Carolina?s Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) is the requested vendor. As outlined in the sole source justification, CSI is the only vendor with direct experience and expertise with the character and maintenance for the existing Albemarle Sound station. They are also familiar with our measurement and integrated software systems, as well as with our current data storage formats.

date/time interval

  • October 2013 - September 2015