Graduation Date
Summer 2026
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources: option Environmental Science and Management
Committee Chair Name
Laurie Richmond
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Erin Kelly
Second Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Qualla Ketchum
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Fields Landing, King Salmon, Sea-level rise, Flood adaptation strategies, Community perspectives, Workshops, Interviews, Walking tour, Photovoice, Photo elicitation, Participatory mapping, Local knowledge, South Humboldt Bay, Managed retreat, Vulnerability assessment
Subject Categories
Environmental Science and Management
Abstract
Known as “ground zero,” Humboldt Bay is among the most vulnerable areas to sea-level rise (SLR) due to geological and tectonic factors on the West Coast. While the land subsides, oceans rise, resulting in an area with one of the highest recorded rates of relative SLR on the West Coast. The residential communities of Fields Landing and King Salmon in South Humboldt Bay already experience regular coastal flooding. There is a need for better information and planning to understand the vulnerability to flooding/SLR and plan for adaptation. Typically, studies addressing flooding, such as vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans, are developed by technical specialists. However, scholarship consistently demonstrates that effective adaptation planning requires meaningful community engagement and can contribute to improved understanding of SLR, which in turn informs outcomes. To better understand the lived experiences of flooding in these communities, the research team utilized participatory and mixed-methods, including semi-structured interviews (n = 25), visual-sharing methods (n = 192), participatory mapping activities (n = 23), and two workshops (n = 44+). From this rich dataset, community members revealed the mechanisms of local flooding, including but not limited to frequent flood locations, maintenance issues, and contributing weather events. Participants also discussed their current mitigation efforts, the challenges they face, and future adaptation ideas for their communities. While building relationships and engaging community members, the research team observed a range of attitudes, from levity to worry to indifference, reflecting the complex experience of living with water. The integration of verbal, visual, and spatial local knowledge, alongside collaborative relationships among community members, government agencies, technical specialists, and researchers, lays the groundwork for long-term, equitable flood adaptation in the region.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Sepp, Kailin, "Living with water in Fields Landing & King Salmon: Community knowledge of flooding and adaptation strategies in coastal California" (2026). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2613.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2613
Collaboration
1