Living Shorelines
Preserving the natural elements of the shore while also providing protection from erosion.
Critical Infrastructure
Connecting firm science with the decision-making needs of state and local leaders.
Inland Flooding
Projecting changing precipitation patterns and future inland flooding in riverine communities.
Coastal Flooding & Waves
Mapping coastal flooding from waves, storm surge and high tide.
Policy & Planning
Community climate adaptation policy and planning through research and analysis.
Sea Level Rise
Providing future sea level rise scenarios for Connecticut's coastline.
Connecticut Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Map Viewer
CIRCA's NEW map viewer shows different sea level rise projections (1 foot and 20 inches), above a Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) along the Connecticut coastline and the adjacent inland. CIRCA research recommends that planning anticipates sea level will be 20 inches (50 cm) higher than the national tidal datum in Long Island Sound by 2050. CIRCA’s report on Connecticut sea level rise provided the basis for projections in Bill S.B. 7, which was introduced into the 2018 legislative session and was enacted into law as Public Act 18-82.
Sea Level Rise Projections for Connecticut
Based on the scenarios CIRCA recommends that Connecticut plan for the upper end of the range of values projected of sea level rise or up to 20 inches (50cm) of sea level rise higher than the national tidal datum in Long Island Sound by 2050 and that it is likely that sea level will continue to rise after that date. The Institute also recommended that the scenarios be updated at least every 10 years, or more frequently, to incorporate the best available science and new observations.
Sea level rise projections for Connecticut based on local tide gage observations (blue), the IPCC (2013) RPC 4.5 model simulations near Long Island Sound (yellow line), the semi-empirical models (orange line) and ice budgets (magenta line) as in CPO-1.
Resilience Roundup and CIRCA Announcements
Sign Up for the Resilience Roundup e-newsletter and CIRCA Announcements
The Resilience Roundup is an e-newsletter including local, state, and national news clips on resilience and adaptation as well as resources , events, and funding announcements. The CIRCA Announcements list will send you notices of the latest CIRCA research, events, tools, grants, and engagement opportunities.
To stay in touch on a broad range of floodplain management issues subscribe to, The Torrent, an e-newsletter published by our partners at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Land and Water Resources Division.