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US Army Corps of Engineers

Coastal Inlets Research Program

Corps Shoaling Analysis Tool (CSAT), version 2.6.4

Updated 12 Sep 2024
Setup updated 27 Feb 2025
The CSAT calculates channel shoaling volumes using historical channel surveys and uses the shoaling rates to predict future dredging volumes. Shoaling rate grids can be used to identify hot spots or areas of increased sedimentation. The volume tables that quantify the amount of sediment needing to be dredged at depth and time increments also support decision making that will maximize the use of dredging funds and minimize disruption to vessel traffic through the navigation channels.
CSAT 1.0.x was run using a Matlab executable file and requires survey upload through eHydro for the channel. CSAT 2.x migrated from Matlab to using Python instead and works within the Anaconda/Miniconda* environment. *Miniconda uses a much smaller installation package and is not as full-featured as Anaconda.
CSAT is being developed jointly by CIRP and the Asset Management (AM) program.
Recent Changes:
  • Enhancement: CSAT is now able to support reaches from the National Channel Framework with multi-polygon geometries.
  • Bug fix: CSAT properly handles multiple, different NaN values in the input NetCDF data.
Installation Instructions: Note - this product requires Administrator privileges for installation
  • 1) Check for existing Anaconda/Python3 installation
    - From the start menu, look for the "Anaconda3" folder and open an Anaconda prompt. Enter the command "conda --version" (without quotes).
    - If no Anaconda version is reported, proceed to step 2, otherwise go to Step 3.
  • 2) Users without Anaconda should install it:
    - ACEIT Users - 1. Search for 'Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime 8.0.5' and Install from the App Portal
    2. Wait for full installation of .NET
    3. Search for 'ESRI ArcGIS Pro 3.4' and Install from the App Portal

    - All Other Users - https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual#Downloads
  • 3) After Install, download CSAT program zip file from here
  • 4) Move the files to a designated CSAT folder and extract files from .zip. Follow remaining instructions from the file "CSAT_py_directions.docx".

  • Input and Output files are available for download here: https://cirp.usace.army.mil/products/csat_districts.php

Publications and Websites:
FY25 Technical Report CSAT User Guide (draft) New
FY25 Technical Note Cloud-Based Workflow to Process Regional Topobathymetric Lidar Datasets for Integrated USACE Shoaling Analyses New
FY24 Conference Paper Improving the Accuracy of Navigation Channel Maintenance Forecasts Using Dredge Location Data New
FY24 Storyboard Corps Shoaling Analysis Tool Storyboard New
FY19 Technical Report Corps Shoaling Analysis Tool: Predicting Channel Shoaling
FY18 Conference Paper Improved Channel Evaluation Using Automatic Identification System and Hydrographic Survey Data
FY17 Technical Note Identification of Alternatives to Reduce Shoaling in the Lower Matagorda Ship Channel, Texas
FY15 Conference Paper Quantitative Approach to Navigation Channels Asset Management
Website DOTS Chiefs Reports (for reviewing historical dredging data)

Portal:
ArcGIS web viewer

Videos:
Tutorial 1 - Download, Installation, and Initial Use.

Other Information:
Fact Sheet can be downloaded from here.
Web mapping application to view the CSAT generated shoaling rate grids for the USACE coastal channels can be accessed here.
Users Guide is in progress.
Point of Contact
Michael Hartman
CSAT Support - dll-ceerd-csat@usace.army.mil
Engineer Research and Development Center
Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory
Vicksburg, MS 39180