Regional Changes of the Northern Gulf of Mexico 2004-2005

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) National Coastal Mapping Program (NCMP) collects high resolution lidar and imagery. The data are collected to help solve engineering, economic, and environmental issues. Two of these surveys have been completed along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, one that initiated the NCMP and another for post Hurricane Katrina assessment. The JALBTCX's products were used to determine the amount of erosion, accretion, and changes in vegetation that occurred on 3 gulf coast islands. Without a seamless topographic and bathymetric dataset it is not possible to provide complete erosion and accretion volume measurements. However, the area and volume for the total land mass of pre and post storm provide useful data to monitor the ever changing barrier islands. With the simultaneously collected RGB imagery the retreat of vegetation was measured and with future surveys that collect hyperspectral imagery more environmental impacts can be monitored.