First Infrastructure Line Vector, North Carolina

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supports multiple efforts to understand and predict storm impacts to our nation’s coastlines . The first infrastructure line is defined as the seaward boundary of the first row of structures or roads in a coastal area and can be used to assess coastal vulnerability. The first infrastructure line as defined in this dataset represents a cross shore boundary where the most intense hold-the-line management actions are likely to be taken to prevent further landward transgression of the foredune. Certain built features, which often extend far seaward from primary residences and commercial buildings, including boardwalks, swimming pools, gazebos, and sheds, are not included in this first infrastructure line. This dataset is optimized for use in measuring the distance between the first infrastructure line and seaward protective features, particularly coastal dunes. The first infrastructure line in North Carolina (NC) was digitized along the developed ocean-fronting portion of the coastline using imagery/orthomosaics collected by the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP), National Geodetic Survey (NGS), and the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) between 8/26/2018 and 7/16/2021. The methods used to digitize these data are described in “Decadal-scale characteristics of natural and anthropogenic dune morphology along North Carolina barrier islands (SE Atlantic coast)” by Seymour and others (2026).

Seymour, A.C., Ciarletta, D.J., Parker, K., Doran, K.S., Palmsten, M.L., 2026, Decadal-Scale Characteristics of Natural and Anthropogenic Dune Morphology along North Carolina Barrier Islands (SE Atlantic Coast): Journal of Coastal Research, https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-25-00053.1.