Digital Shoreline Analysis System

(DSAS) 4.0
An Efficient and Repeatable Method for Computing
Shoreline Change Rates in ArcGIS
Emily A. Himmelstoss1, Jessica L. Zichichi2, E. Robert Thieler1, Ayhan Ergul2
1U.S.

Geological Survey, Woods Hole

2Innovate! Inc.

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

 What is it?

A free software tool for use within ESRI ArcGIS 9.2 (SP2) and
above
Compatible with both Windows XP and Vista platforms

What does it do?

Provides a standardized & repeatable method for computing

rate-of-change statistics
Capable of integrating custom modules written by end-users
Produces FGDC-compliant metadata for DSAS generated
transects

Who uses it?

Scientists, engineers, managers, students, consultants

In global use; >1000 downloads

Where can I get it?

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1278

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008-1278

DSAS v4.0
Computing Shoreline Change Rates in ArcGIS

Generates transects to establish measurement points

Transect locations can be edited by user
Measurement points are used to compute shoreline
rates describing the change in position through time

DSAS v4.0
Computing Shoreline Change Rates in ArcGIS

Generates transects to establish measurement points

Transect locations can be edited by user
Measurement points are used to compute shoreline
rates describing the change in position through time

Workflow
Data user
must provide

Data Requirements

Multiple shoreline positions

Reference baseline
baseline

Workflow

User-defined settings

User-defined settings

Metadata components provided by user

FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial

Metadata (CSDGM) version 2

Workflow

Cast Transects

Workflow

Automatic generation of metadata

Workflow

Topology between baseline & transects

Workflow

Calculating Change Statistics

Results

Process step added to metadata

Workflow

Desktop
Help

Summary

DSAS
Free tool for use within ESRI ArcGIS 9.2 (SP2) +
Compatible with both Windows XP and Vista

What does it do?

Establishes measurement locations along shorelines
Built in topology expedites the editing process

performed by users
Computes rate-of-change statistics
Integrates custom modules written by end-users
Produces FGDC-compliant metadata

Where can I get it?

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1278
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008-1278

Linear Regression Rate (LRR)

Least Median of Squares (LMS)

Grouping transects for file

management