Associate Professor Morgan State University, Maryland, United States
Abstract Submission: This study evaluates the vulnerability of Baltimore Inner Harbor to sea-level rise (SLR) using ARCGIS for spatial analysis and high-resolution elevation models. As a vital economic and cultural hub, the Inner Harbor faces increasing risk from rising sea levels, which could lead to frequent and severe flooding by 2100. By leveraging ARCGIS to project future SLR scenarios, this research quantifies the land areas, infrastructure, and population most at risk under different SLR projections. Special attention is given to the harbor’s stormwater outfalls, which are critical to managing water levels but are increasingly compromised by rising sea levels. Without proactive adaptation measures, these outfalls could backflow, exacerbating flooding and reducing the system’s capacity to manage storm surges. The findings emphasize the urgent need for flood management strategies that include modifications to the outfall systems to prevent backflow and ensure efficient drainage. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrating geospatial technology, infrastructural improvements, and planning to protect Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, demonstrating that timely action on the stormwater management system can mitigate long-term impacts of sea-level rise on this vulnerable urban area.
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