Unlike prior serious games that depend on static outputs or omit hydraulic simulation, CoastWise performs fully dynamic rainfall–runoff and tidal simulations using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) in real time. By incorporating live tide data, the platform enables users to explore compound flooding scenarios, add low-impact development (LID) features interactively, and receive immediate feedback on runoff and infiltration outcomes.

Built on a real urban watershed in Norfolk, Virginia, CoastWise demonstrates how rainfall–tide–infrastructure interactions can be visualized and simplified for education and decision support. The framework bridges critical gaps in serious gaming by integrating hydrologic modeling, coastal dynamics, and infrastructure planning within a freely accessible web environment.

Adaptable to other watersheds through minimal input changes, CoastWise provides a practical tool for classrooms, local governments, and community planners to promote flood literacy and support data-informed resilience planning.

The following video serves as an example of this web-app. The manuscript for CoastWise is currently under review at the Journal of Environmental Modeling and Software.