Coastal Numerical Models Meeting the Minimum Requirement of the National Flood Insurance Program

National Models

Local Models

Other Models

This page provides a list of nationally and locally accepted coastal models that meet National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements for flood hazard mapping activities. This page is intended for engineers, surveyors, floodplain managers and FEMA mapping partners.

Disclaimers

This website lists models, where the compliance with the requirements of 44 CFR 65.6(a)(6) has been previously demonstrated for use in FEMA flood hazard studies and/or mapping efforts. The lists include models that Professional Engineers can use to perform engineering analysis and mapping for flood insurance studies, however a model’s inclusion on this list does not indicate whether its approval or certification is current as to any other governmental agency. Professional Engineers are ultimately responsible for the appropriate application and accuracy of the results.
FEMA is not responsible for technical support or accuracy of the results and has not evaluated the technical soundness of the models independently.
This list cannot be used as a marketing tool explicitly or implicitly anywhere.
FEMA updates its list as necessary, however, the accuracy of this list is not guaranteed. It is highly recommended that model selection is discussed with FEMA before undertaking or initiating any analysis intended to be submitted to FEMA.
FEMA provides this list for reference only, and in doing so, does not endorse any non-federal products, companies, or services. If you believe that any information provided on this page is inaccurate, please contact FEMA at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

Current Nationally Accepted Coastal Models

Coastal Storm Surges

Program: Advanced Circulation Model (ADCIRC) and Up

Developed By

Johannes Westerink, University of Notre Dame and Rick Luettich, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Sciences for USACE Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL)

Available From

Chris Massey or Mary Cialone
USACE ERDIC-CHL
Vicksburg, MS

Also can be purchased from software vendors as a component of SMS from Aquaveo, LLC.

Public Domain

Yes for flood insurance study purposes.

Comments

ADCIRC is a finite element, time-dependent, long wave, hydrodynamic circulation numerical model for the simulation of water level and current over an unstructured gridded domain. ADCIRC can be applied to the wide range of scales of motion and wide range of hydrodynamic balances that exist when computing deep-ocean flows that transition to flows in inlets, floodplains, and rivers. For more information about ADCIRC, including documentation, training, and support, visit adcirc.org .

Program: BOUSS-2D

Developed By

Aquaveo, LLC

Available From

Aquaveo, LLC

Public Domain

Comments

For simulating the propagation and transformation of waves in coastal regions and harbors, over small regions (generally 1-5 km), based on a time-domain solution of Boussinesq-type equations, including: shoaling; refraction; diffraction; full/partial reflection and transmission; bottom friction; nonlinear wave-wave interactions; wave breaking and runup; wave-induced currents; and wave-current interaction.

Program: CSHORE

Developed By

USACE

Available From

Release 1.0 - CSHORE)

Public Domain

Yes

Comments

CSHORE was developed by the USACE to calculate erosion and consists of the following components: a combined wave and current model based on time-averaged continuity, cross-shore and longshore momentum, wave action, and roller energy equations; a sediment transport model for suspended sand and bedload; a permeable layer model to account for porous flow and energy dissipation; empirical formulas for irregular wave runup, overtopping and seepage; and a probabilistic model for an intermittently wet and dry zone for the purpose of predicting wave overwash and structural damage progression.

Program: MIKE 21 HD v.2009 SP4 and up

Developed By

DHI Water & Environment

Available From

DHI Water & Environment Inc.
141 Union Blvd Ste. 320
Lakewood, CO 80228

Public Domain

Comments

Solves the non-linear depth-averaged equations of continuity and conservation of momentum. Computes water levels and flows based on a variety of forcing functions. Computes wave-driven currents and wave setup. Uses a finite difference grid with dynamic nesting grid capabilities. Resolving small scale features such as narrow inland channels, culverts and control structures can be accomplished using the DHI MIKE FLOOD interface, which allows for dynamic coupling between MIKE 21 and the DHI MIKE 11/MIKE HYDRO River models.

Program: RUNUP 2.0 (1990)

Developed By

Stone & Webster Engineering Corp.,
revised by Dewberry

Available From

Find appropriate contact information based on your FEMA Region.

Public Domain

Yes

Comments

Executes 1978 guidance by USACE defining wave runup on shore barrier with specified approach and storm conditions; mean wave description determines mean runup elevation.

Program: STWAVE

Developed By

U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Available From

Aquaveo, LLC

Public Domain

Comments

STWAVE is a steady-state, finite difference, spectral model based on the wave action balance equation. STWAVE simulates depth-induced wave refraction and shoaling, current-induced refraction and shoaling, depth- and steepness-induced wave breaking, diffraction, wave growth because of wind input, and wave-wave interaction and white capping that redistribute and dissipate energy in a growing wave field. STWAVE is written by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (USACE-WES).

Program: WHAFIS 3.0 (1988) and 4.0 (2007)

Developed By

Dames & Moore, revised by Greenhorne & O'Mara, revised by Watershed Concepts

Available From

Find appropriate contact information based on your FEMA Region.

Public Domain

Yes

Comments

WHAFIS 4.0 has identical wave treatments as WHAFIS 3.0. Additional features include default wind speeds for 0.2-percent-annual-chance winds and the ability for user to override default wind speeds. WHAFIS 3.0 defines wave heights associated with 100-year flood in coastal areas using modern wave action treatment; incorporates 1977 NAS recommendations on basic approximations for wind speeds, wave breaking criterion, and controlling wave height.

Coastal Storm Surges

Program: BOUSS-2D

Developed By

Aquaveo, LLC

Available From

Aquaveo, LLC

Public Domain

Comments

Program: STWAVE

Developed By

U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Available From

Aquaveo, LLC

Public Domain

Comments

Current Locally Accepted Coastal Models

Hydrodynamic and Morphological Model: Determination of Coastal Storm Surge and Wave Height

Program: Delft 3D (FLOW, WAVE, MOR)

Developed By

Deltares,
Delft, The Netherlands

Available From

Deltares

Public Domain

Comments

Delft3D is a suite of 2D and 3D models for the simulation of hydrodynamics, waves, sediment transport and morphology for fluvial, estuarine and coastal environments.

The FLOW module calculates non-steady flow and transport phenomena resulting from tidal and meteorological forcing on a curvilinear, boundary fitted grid.

The WAVE module incorporates the spectral wave model SWAN. The MOR module couples the FLOW and WAVE modules to simulate long-term changes in bottom topography.

Only accepted for usage within FEMA Region 2.

Two-Dimensional Steady/Unsteady Flow Models

Program: TUFLOW Software Suite

Developed By

BMT Group Ltd

Available From

BMT Group Ltd
Brisbane, Australia

Public Domain

Comments

1D network and 2D fixed grid based software for simulating flood and tidal flow. Only accepted for usage within Ventura County, California.

More Nationally And Locally Accepted Models

Below are additional nationally and locally accepted models in the NFIP Program.