Marine shoreline mapping

Shoreline data products

We provide the following shoreline data, which are updated every two years and available through web-based data viewers:

360-degree on-the-water photos

We provide 360-degree on-the-water photos taken from a small vessel parallel to the shoreline. The photos are taken:

• Using a pole-mounted camera on a kayak or motorized raft
• From a close distance to the beach to capture details of shoreline conditions

To protect privacy, all personally identifiable information is blurred prior to use. 

Georeferenced oblique photos

We collect georeferenced oblique photos taken by a small, fixed-wing aircraft.
The aerial oblique angle allows us to:

• View shoreline conditions that may not be visible from the water
• Provide the ability to view features hidden by vegetation or not visible in vertical imagery

Georeferencing allows users to find coordinates from any feature in the photo. 

Shoreline condition survey

We conduct shoreline condition surveys and update the surveys on a two-year cycle. These surveys capture information about nearshore modifications like shoreline armoring (e.g. seawalls), boat ramps, and other man-made structures. Shoreline modifications are mapped along an updated hybrid reference line, which shows the boundary between the beach and upland or human-influenced areas.

Remote sensing data — including 360-degree on-the-water photos, georeferenced oblique photos, and other available data such as vertical imagery and digital elevation models — are used to map the location of shoreline development and document other conditions that are important indicators of the health of Puget Sound’s nearshore habitat.

Related resources

Our Washington State Coastal Atlas offers historic geotagged oblique shoreline photos and a suite of data layers with information about the state's coastline.