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 (Location File Wizard)
Available Location Files¶
Alaska Region¶
Glacier Bay | User Guide
Prince William Sound | User Guide | Example Problems
North Slope | User Guide
Atlantic Region¶
Boston and Vicinity | User Guide | Example Problems
Casco Bay, ME | User Guide
Central Long Island Sound | User Guide
Charleston Harbor, SC | User Guide
Delaware Bay | User Guide
Detroit River | User Guide
Narrangansett Bay, RI | User Guide
New York Harbor | User Guide
Norfolk, VA | User Guide
Passamaquoddy Bay, ME | User Guide
Port Everglades, FL | User Guide
Portsmouth Harbor | User Guide
St. John’s River, FL | User Guide
Gulf of Mexico¶
Galveston Bay | User Guide
Lower Mississippi River | User Guide
Mobile Bay | User Guide | Example Problems
Sabine Lake and Port Arthur | User Guide
Tampa Bay | User Guide
Pacific Region¶
Columbia River Estuary | User Guide
Kaneohe Bay, HI | User Guide
San Diego Bay | User Guide
Santa Barbara Channel | User Guide
Strait of Juan de Fuca | User Guide | Example Problems
International¶
Apra Harbor, Guam | User Guide
Panama Canal Atlantic | User Guide
Panama Canal Gatun Lake | User Guide
Panama Canal Pacific | User Guide
ROPME Sea (Persian/Arabian Gulf) | User Guide
San Juan, Puerto Rico | User Guide