Living Shorelines

Living Shorelines
Preserving the natural elements of the shore while also providing protection from erosion.

Critical Infrastructure

Critical Infrastructure
Connecting firm science with the decision-making needs of state and local leaders.

Inland Flooding

Inland Flooding
Projecting changing precipitation patterns and future inland flooding in riverine communities.

Coastal Flooding

Coastal Flooding & Waves
Mapping coastal flooding from waves, storm surge and high tide.

Policy and Planning

Policy & Planning
Community climate adaptation policy and planning through research and analysis.

Sea Level Rise

Sea Level Rise
Providing future sea level rise scenarios for Connecticut's coastline.

Featured Projects & Products

NEW – Collaborative Research: NSF R2I2: Identifying Community Need Based Adaptation and Resilience Priorities in the US Northeast

Rising sea levels, intensifying storms, and increasing flood risks are creating unprecedented challenges for coastal communities across the northeastern United States. In this region in particular, the magnitude of projected sea level rise is among the largest of any in the world threatening millions of Americans and billions of dollars in infrastructure. Small municipalities and neighborhoods often lack the expertise and tools needed to translate cutting-edge Earth system science into practical protection strategies for their residents. This project will build a collaborative network of scientists, engineers, policy experts, and community leaders to accelerate the development and implementation of adaptation solutions at the scale where they matter most, individual properties and neighborhoods. The project aims to reduce flood risks that currently cause over $32 billion in annual damages, protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat related illness, and preserve coastal infrastructure that supports regional economies. The collaborative approach of the project is driven by community needs in the Northeast region and will provide a replicable model for environmental adaptation nationwide.

Go to R2I2 Project Page

R2I2 logos

CIRCA: Serving Connecticut’s Coastal Communities and Beyond

UConn Today July 23, 2024

Go to UConn Today Article

Mac Murray & Thomas Rettig

CIRCA: Serving Connecticut’s Coastal Communities and Beyond
As seas and temperatures rise, [CIRCA] uses research and community engagement to protect communities across the state.

From the Long Island Sound to Hartford and beyond, the Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaptation uses research and community engagement to protect communities across the state from the effects of climate change.

Watch Video

Kayak on water

Cartoon map of coastal CT

Learn about Resilient Connecticut

CIRCA, in coordination with state agencies, regional councils of governments (COGs) and municipalities, has initiated Resilient Connecticut, as part of Phase II of the HUD National Disaster Resilience Competition. Resilient Connecticut focuses on regional resilience and adaptation planning through engagement and vulnerability assessments that inform municipal to regional scale initiatives and pilot projects in the Superstorm Sandy impacted regions of New Haven and Fairfield Counties.

Go to Resilient Connecticut Web Site

CT SLR Projections graph

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.

Go to Sea Level Rise Page

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.

Municipal Resilience Planning Assistance

 

This project combined science, policy, and planning at the state and local levels to address the resilience of vulnerable communities along Connecticut’s coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change. The purpose of the project was to develop tools for municipalities to assess vulnerable infrastructure to inundation by river flow, sea level rise, and storm surge in the next 25-50 years.  This work was made possible through a Municipal Resilience Planning Assistance grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Housing CDBG-Disaster Recovery Program and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Go to Municipal Resilience Planning Page

Coastal storm damage.  Homes falling into Long Island Sound
Cosey Beach, East Haven, CT (Courtesy of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection)

CIRCA Grant Products

 

Municipal Resilience Grant Program

Learn about new funding available and previously funded municipal projects designed to move our state from planning to implementation.

Matching Funds Grant Program

Learn more about the 9 matching funds grants awarded to Connecticut organizations, municipalities and researchers to leverage external funding programs to advance resilience in the state.

Research Grants

Learn more about all of CIRCA's Research projects and products.

Volunteers working to retore dune in Milford CT
Dune restoration in Milford, CT sponsored by the CIRCA Municipal Resilience Grant Program. Photo: Steve Johnson