##############
Location Files
##############

Location Files were created to guide users through the model setup for a
specific region and are typically limited to major U.S. bays and sounds and adjacent nearshore waters. Each Location File contains pre-packaged
information about the tides, currents, and shorelines in the region it covers.
WebGNOME uses the Location File information and user input to set up the model.

Location Files are useful for planning but should not be used to model real oil spills!
The Location Files are based on climatological or "average" conditions for a specific
region. Environmental conditions during an actual spill may differ widely from typical
conditions. A useful analogy is an almanac versus a weather forecast -- if you are trying to
pick a good month to schedule a picnic an almanac may provide guidance. However, if you
have a picnic planned for tomorrow, an up to date weather forecast which incorporates recent
observations will provide more useful information. Similarly, the Location Files are a
valuable resource for planning for a potential future spill but need to be modified to
incorporate actual real-time environmental conditions in the case a spill occurs.

To get started, use the (:doc:`Location File Wizard<wizards>`)


Available Location Files
========================

Alaska Region
-------------

* Glacier Bay | :ref:`User Guide <glacier_bay_tech>`

* Prince William Sound | :ref:`User Guide <prince_william_sound_tech>` | :ref:`Example Problems <prince_william_sound_examples>`

* North Slope | :ref:`User Guide <north_slope_tech>`

Atlantic Region
---------------

* Boston and Vicinity | :ref:`User Guide <boston_and_vicinity_tech>` | :ref:`Example Problems <boston_and_vicinity_examples>`

* Casco Bay, ME | :ref:`User Guide <casco_bay_tech>`

* Central Long Island Sound | :ref:`User Guide <central_long_island_sound_tech>`

* Charleston Harbor, SC | :ref:`User Guide <charleston_harbor_tech>`

* Delaware Bay | :ref:`User Guide <delaware_bay_tech>`

* Detroit River | :ref:`User Guide <detroit_river_tech>`

* Narrangansett Bay, RI | :ref:`User Guide <narragansett_bay_tech>`

* New York Harbor | :ref:`User Guide <new_york_harbor_tech>`

* Norfolk, VA | :ref:`User Guide <norfolk_tech>`

* Passamaquoddy Bay, ME | :ref:`User Guide <passamaquoddy_bay_tech>`

* Port Everglades, FL | :ref:`User Guide <port_everglades_tech>`

* Portsmouth Harbor | :ref:`User Guide <portsmouth_harbor_tech>`

* St. John's River, FL | :ref:`User Guide <st_johns_river_tech>`

Gulf of Mexico
--------------

* Galveston Bay | :ref:`User Guide <galveston_bay_tech>`

* Lower Mississippi River | :ref:`User Guide <lower_mississippi_river_tech>`

* Mobile Bay | :ref:`User Guide <mobile_bay_tech>` | :ref:`Example Problems <mobile_bay_examples>`

* Sabine Lake and Port Arthur | :ref:`User Guide <sabine_lake_tech>`

* Tampa Bay | :ref:`User Guide <tampa_bay_tech>`

Pacific Region
--------------

* Columbia River Estuary | :ref:`User Guide <columbia_river_estuary_tech>`

* Kaneohe Bay, HI | :ref:`User Guide <kaneohe_bay_tech>`

* San Diego Bay | :ref:`User Guide <san_diego_bay_tech>`

* Santa Barbara Channel | :ref:`User Guide <santa_barbara_channel_tech>`

* Strait of Juan de Fuca | :ref:`User Guide <strait_of_juan_de_fuca_tech>` | :ref:`Example Problems <strait_of_juan_de_fuca_examples>`

International
-------------

* Apra Harbor, Guam | :ref:`User Guide <apra_harbor_tech>`

* Panama Canal Atlantic | :ref:`User Guide <panama_canal_atlantic_tech>`

* Panama Canal Gatun Lake | :ref:`User Guide <panama_canal_gatun_lake_tech>`

* Panama Canal Pacific | :ref:`User Guide <panama_canal_pacific_tech>`

* ROPME Sea (Persian/Arabian Gulf) | :ref:`User Guide <ropme_sea_area_tech>`

* San Juan, Puerto Rico | :ref:`User Guide <san_juan_tech>`