We’re excited to invite you to join us in a citizen science project with the goal of monitoring tidal flood zones in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The town’s coastal location makes it a prime target for the adverse effects of flooding. Not only are Greenwich’s shoreline and marine ecology in danger, but the local oystering and fishing communities are at risk. Town beaches, local roads, park areas, and tidal ponds are regularly submerged. These harmful effects have already become more prevalent due to the impacts of climate change, and are expected to worsen further over the coming decades.
Time is running short to minimize the risks and danger to personal livelihoods caused by flooding in Greenwich, and we need your help to document these events and spread the word!
When: The primary scope of this project is from September 18 - December 31, 2021.
Where: Coastlines, tidal ponds, and other areas where flooding is present in Greenwich, CT
What: See below
We are asking citizens and neighbors of the Town of Greenwich to help us monitor local flooding events by taking photographs and uploading them through the MyCoast app.
Download the free MyCoast app and create an account
Press the yellow +Add Report button
Select Coastal Flooding report type
Follow instructions on screen
Previous MyCoast flood reports from Connecticut
Note: ALWAYS BE SAFE! Be careful when leaving your home during adverse weather conditions, and please mind local weather advisories.
Capture the Next High Tide:
We encourage you to take pictures during any flood or high tide event. Below are dates on which we expect higher than average tides.
The Town
The town of Greenwich is located in Fairfield County in southwestern Connecticut and home to 62,840 inhabitants as of 2019. It is best known for its proximity to New York City, the annual Town Party, the Greenwich Food and Wine Festival, and a plethora of natural areas, parks, and beaches. Only a 50-minute train ride to New York City, the residents of this coastal town have access to all the excitements of city life without sacrificing the feeling of a New England town.
Tidal Ponds of Greenwich
Bodies of water that are closely connected to Long Island Sound have flood risks both from upstream (rain, discharge) and downstream (high tide events). When these two factors combine, it can double the impact. We are preparing to mount cameras to document flood events live as they occur in four of these tidal ponds. Watch this space for updates as the cameras go live!
Historic Flooding
As a coastal town, floods have always been a part of Greenwich’s history. Click through the gallery below to see images of floods from our past. How do they compare to floods you have experienced? We would love to hear your story.
Photos were provided by the Greenwich Historic Society.
Our Community Scientist
Dr. James O’Donnell is a Professor at the University of Connecticut and the Executive Director of CIRCA (Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaptation). His research focuses on understanding the physical processes that determine the circulation and transport of materials in the coastal ocean. With students and research associates, he is currently involved in both the construction and testing of models and the development of technology to make observations. He is also interested in fundamental geophysical and environmental fluid dynamics and the application of mathematical and statistical methods to the development of models of biogeochemical processes.
As Executive Director of CIRCA, he is responsible for bringing together the world class research and outreach capabilities of the University of Connecticut and the extensive practical experience of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to create and disseminate practical and sustainable strategies to enhance the resilience of the built environment while protecting natural ecosystems in Connecticut and the northeast.
Special Events:
Saturday, September 18: International Coastal Cleanup Day at Greenwich Point. Come meet us and learn more about this project and how you can get involved
Thursday, October 7: First Sunday Science and Bruce Presents Digital Lecture. Dr. Jim O’Donnell, CIRCA Executive Director and UCONN Professor. Find details on the Bruce Museum website.
Sunday, November 7: First Sunday Science Digital Lecture. Details TBD
As we process data and speak with community members and leaders, we will plan more lectures, events, and other public programs.
For More Information:
Greenwich Coastal Resiliency Assessment, Princeton Hydro, Ecopolitan Design, and BRS June 12, 2021
Contact Us:
General Inquiries: Corinne Flax (cflax@brucemuseum.org)
CIRCA Contact: Katie Lund (katie.lund@uconn.edu)
Greenwich Flood Watchers is a collaboration between the Town of Greenwich, the Bruce Museum, the University of Connecticut, CIRCA, and AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange. To learn more about this project, please click here.
