Based on the information in the literature and the recommendations and guidelines of federal agencies, the Delaware Sea-Level Rise Workgroup proposed to use sea-level rise estimates of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 meters in Delaware by the year 2100 for planning purposes. These values represent the minimum, intermediate, and maximum rates expected based on the compilation of currently available information. We are simulating the groundwater flow in the coastal surficial aquifer to estimate the inland migration of the fresh-water/salt-water interface and the rise in the water table due to these sea-level rise scenarios (Figure 1).

Funding provided by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve through DNREC.