Climate change is causing global sea levels to rise. Oregon’s estuaries have much development on vulnerable low-lying shorelands. Coastal communities are not currently planning for sea level rise as a hazard because of a lack of geospatial information. In response to this data gap, an exposure inventory was developed to serve as a statewide resource for sea level rise planning in and around estuaries.

 As sea level rises, our estuary floodplains will increase in extent. Land currently in the floodplain will be flooded more frequently, and land outside of the floodplain may become a part of the floodplain. The exposure inventory determined the assets and geographies most likely to be affected by a sea-level rise driven increase in flooding in 21 of Oregon’s estuaries, and prioritized areas to focus future resources and further study. An exposure inventory is the first step in sea-level rise adaptation planning. Six future flooding scenario polygons are now available to use in planning, a written report details the assets that are within each of those scenarios, and a web map allows for an easy visualization of both. These products will support state and local efforts to better understand and plan for sea-level rise.