In this scenario, I had to create a series of maps which indicate low-elevation areas in Vancouver near shorelines which may be at risk of flooding. In order to do this, I cartographically reclassified a digital elevation model (DEM) of Vancouver to show low elevation areas. I subsequently created a potential storm surge flood map by executing buffer proximity analysis 1 km away from shorelines, intersecting this buffer as a vector with a vector of low elevation areas from the DEM in order to create a map of potential flooding. I subsequently had to create a table of total highway and expressway lengths affected by potential flooding. In order to illustrate how storm surges could affect services on a micro-scale, I produced a map of False Creek with school location data (downloaded from the City of Vancouver) and a St. Paul's Hospital site layer which I manually digitized. The main source of error in this activity is assuming a constant storm surge area adjacent to shorelines. Not all storm surge scenarios may directly adhere to a "1km" buffer scheme and therefore my model may under or overrepresent the risk presented by shoreline locations.
The maps I produced for this lab:
Vancouver Flooding Risk to Roads Map
I gained practical knowledge of how to acquire data, understand metadata, reclassify a data layer, execute buffer proximity analysis, and use intersect overlay tools to create 4 maps and 1 table, enhancing my personal experience with ArcGIS and identifying schools, roads, and services at risk of flooding from storm surges. In this experience, I improved my GIS analysis skills while employing reporting skills that I've acquired as a social sciences student.