Calibrated Hydrodynamic Model Outputs for Atchafalaya Basin

ANUGA 2D depth-integrated hydrodynamic model outputs and run-scripts for the Atchafalaya basin in Louisiana's Mississippi River Delta. The dataset contains over a month of simulation results from three field campaigns in fall 2016, spring 2021, and fall 2021. NASA produced this resource, which was calibrated using in-situ gauges and remote sensing data.

Use Cases

• Analyzing seasonal water level changes in the Atchafalaya and Wax Lake Delta systems using the time-series NetCDF outputs.
• Studying channel-island connectivity and flow patterns with the high-resolution model mesh.
• Calibrating or validating other hydrodynamic models using the dataset's 54-gauge observational reference.
• Simulating additional time periods for the region by modifying the provided Python run-scripts.
• Integrating model outputs with other Delta-X datasets for multi-sensor analysis of delta processes.

Strengths

• Model was calibrated using a substantial observational database including about 54 water level gauges, AirSWOT/lidar profiles, and UAVSAR measurements.
• Simulation outputs cover over a month across three distinct seasons and hydrological conditions (fall 2016, spring 2021, fall 2021).
• Model mesh leverages high-resolution Planet Labs imagery spanning over a decade to capture geomorphic detail.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData signals its importance and curation within a major Earth science project.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source, limiting precise technical assessment.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date: Data.gov lists 2026-03 13, while NASA EarthData lists 2021-08-27.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

ANUGA 2D hydrodynamic modeling forced with NOAA and USGS observational data, calibrated with in-situ and remote-sensed measurements.

Time Range

Fall 2016, Spring 2021, Fall 2021

Freshness

2026-03-13 03:17:29.389498

Geography

Atchafalaya basin, Mississippi River Delta, southern Louisiana, USA