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For the latest forecasts and critical weather information, visit weather.gov.

Wave Exposure Model (WEMo)

Go directly to download and system requirements.

The Issue

Hydrodynamic Graphic demonstrates how points, bathymetry, and shoreline data are input to provide a combined map output.factors profoundly impact the environment of coastal areas. Wind waves, particularly waves associated with storms, are unpredictable and can pose dangerous situations under which to collect scientifically empirical, comparative information. Unfortunately, there are few simple–to–use, inexpensive tools that can provide a quantitative value of wave energy for locations not in the open ocean. Such a tool is needed by resource managers who need to estimate wave energy in coastal regions or in inland waters to gauge susceptibility of developed areas. This tool is also needed by scientists who desire a quantitative measure of wave effects to relate to ecosystem function.

Approach

Scientists with NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science have developed an easy-to-use numerical wave exposure model (WEMo) that uses linear wave theory to calculate actual wave height and derived wave energy while taking into consideration wind generation and local water depth characteristics such as shoaling and dissipation from breaking waves. WEMo also provides predictions of seafloor sediment movement.

The legacy version of WEMo ran in a simple Geographic Information System (GIS) format in association with ESRI’s ArcGIS. This newly updated version has been rebuilt in R, a free open-source software environment, allowing for faster processing speeds, automated workflows, and greater accessibility without the need for proprietary GIS software.

WEMo Features

  • Forecasts (and hindcasts) quantitative and geographically accurate wave energy and seafloor sediment movement for enclosed or semi-enclosed water bodies (e.g., estuaries and lakes).
  • Foundation for studying or modeling restoration success, seafloor and shoreline erosion, and limits to habitat tolerances.
  • Integrates easily with standard data formats for association with dependent factors such as shoreline erosion, landscape patterns and faunal associations.
  • Guides sample stratification by wave energy regime.
  • Adaptable for use by non-specialists in hydrodynamics; designed for those with basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (advanced college class, introductory graduate level classes).
  • Tunable to either chronic or extreme wind events as well as in synchrony with storm surge.

New in the R Version

  • Built-in tools to easily gather and prepare input data including bathymetry, shoreline geometry and wind.
  • Designed for efficient re-analysis, making it easy to model the effects of changing conditions like sea-level rise or different wind regimes.
  • Integrates with ggplot2 to help visualize inputs and results.
  • Provides easy to follow tutorials and full documentation for functions.

Applications

WEMo has been successfully deployed across diverse estuarine environments to address critical, management-focused challenges, including:

  • Identifying wave energy thresholds to support successful seagrass restoration
  • Optimizing living shoreline designs by aligning site-specific wave energy with appropriate structural solutions
  • Quantifying how different shoreline management options will influence wave energy dynamics
  • Rating shoreline vulnerability to erosion

Downloads

Download Tool
Tutorials
How To Download

Previous Versions

The legacy versions below are still available for download but will not be updated.
Wave Exposure Model (WEMo), version 4.0
Updated March 2010
Compatible with ArcGIS 9.3
Download Manual for Version 4.0
Download Version 4.0
 
Wave Exposure Model (WEMo), version 3.0

Updated October 2007
Compatible with ArcGIS 9.1
WEMo was modified in this version to calculate wave height and derived Representative Wave Energy along with the relative index (REI) calculated in older WEMo versions.
Download WEMo 3.0
Download Manual for Version 3.0

Citation for this work: Tech Memo: NOS NCCOS 65, WEMo (Wave Exposure Model): Formulation, Procedures and Validation This report describes the working of National Centers for Coastal Ocean Service’s WEMo, capable of predicting the exposure of a site in estuarine and closed water to local wind–generated waves and validation of the model using wave sensors collected data. Download