Shoreline mapping

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. 

View the Puget Sound Overview Map

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. 

We conduct shoreline condition surveys and update the surveys on a two-year cycle. These surveys capture information about nearshore development and other conditions. The baseline dataset will be available in late summer 2025, and will include mapping of shoreline armor location, material, condition, and elevation relative to mean higher high water. The survey will also include the location of boat ramps and major over water structures.

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.