We are using a hydrodynamic model to quantify how wetlands mitigate flooding compared to traditional gray infrastructure approaches on the South Carolina coast. Results will help facilitate informed adaptation planning and coastal management decisions under sea level rise.
Why We Care
Nature-based solutions (NBS) like wetlands can serve as buffers against extreme weather events, functioning as sponges that absorb and slowly release excess floodwaters. They can also provide crucial ecosystem services such as enhancing water quality through natural filtration processes, recharging groundwater supplies, and providing vital habitats for diverse wildlife species. Despite the advantages of NBS, the scientific and policy-making communities face significant challenges in quantifying and comparing the effectiveness of NBS against traditional, engineered (or “gray”) infrastructure solutions. Without comprehensive and quantitative data sets that systematically evaluate the performance of NBS during storms, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about their efficacy.

What We Are Doing
We are implementing a coupled hydrodynamic-hydrologic model to quantify the impacts of both wetlands and traditional gray infrastructure on flood mitigation in estuaries in the lower South Carolina coastal plain. Researchers will produce high-resolution flood exposure maps demonstrating both wetland and traditional gray infrastructure flood reduction potential to inform regional resilience planning.
Benefits of Our Work
Our research will provide critical, quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of wetlands as nature-based solutions for flood mitigation. By leveraging advanced hydrodynamic-hydrologic modeling, we will produce high-resolution flood exposure maps that demonstrate the potential of wetlands to reduce flood risks during storms. Outputs can be used by coastal decision-makers in evaluating and prioritizing their management decisions about integrating natural infrastructure into community resilience plans. Our work will bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of nature-based solutions, potentially revolutionizing coastal flood management strategies. Moreover, by validating the flood mitigation capabilities of wetlands, our research could encourage their preservation and restoration, leading to additional environmental benefits such as improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and increased carbon sequestration. Ultimately, our work aims to contribute to the development of more resilient, sustainable, and climate-adaptive coastal communities.
This project is led by Dr. Shaowu Bao at Coastal Carolina University and is part of the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH).