Coastal Engineering Tools

This page provides documentation and download links for three coastal engineering tools that meet National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements for flood hazard mapping activities: WHAFIS, RUNUP2.0, and CHAMP. Current standards and relevant guidance documents on the recommended application of each of these tools for FEMA's Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning Program are available on the Guidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping page. A complete list of current nationally and locally accepted coastal models is available on the Coastal Models page.



Wave Height Analysis for Flood Insurance Studies (WHAFIS), Version 4.0

Wave Height Analysis for Flood Insurance Studies (WHAFIS), Version 4.0, is a DOS-based program that uses representative transects to compute wave crest elevations in a given study area. Transects are selected considering major topographic, vegetative and cultural features. WHAFIS uses this and other input information to compute an appropriate wave height along each transect.

User's Manuals

Download WHAFIS

Users may select the "WHAFIS Application" link below to download the latest version of the software.

NOTICE TO USERS: This WHAFIS application linked below represents a recompiled version to ensure WHAFIS continues to operate in modern operating systems. It is recommended to update the WHAFIS application for use in CHAMP. Please follow the “How to Update WHAFIS for CHAMP” directions provided in the 2024 Supplementary WHAFIS 4.0 Documentation or provided with the CHAMP download below.

Additional Resources

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RUNUP, Version 2.1

RUNUP, Version2.1, is a DOS-based program for wave runup computation. This program uses stillwater elevation, shore profile and roughness and incident wave condition input information to compute a wave runup elevation.

User's Manuals

Download RUNUP

Users may select the "RUNUP Application" link below to download the latest version of the software.

NOTICE TO USERS: This RUNUP application represents an updated version of RUNUP to restore functionality in modern operating systems and achieve a digital version of the source code for maintenance and updates. It is recommended to update the RUNUP application for use in CHAMP. Please follow the “How to Update RUNUP for CHAMP” directions provided in the 2024 Supplementary RUNUP 2.1 Documentation or provided with the CHAMP download below.

Additional Resources

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Coastal Hazard Analysis Modeling Program (CHAMP)

Coastal Hazard Analysis Modeling Program (CHAMP) is a Windows-interfaced Visual Basic language program that allows the user to enter data, perform coastal engineering analyses, view and tabulate results and chart summary information for each representative transect along a coastline within a user-friendly graphical interface. With CHAMP, the user can import digital elevation data; perform storm-induced erosion treatments, wave height analyses and wave runup analyses; plot summary graphics of the results and create summary tables and reports in a single environment.

User's Manuals

Download CHAMP

NOTICE TO USERS: The WHAFIS and RUNUP applications can both be accessed through the CHAMP application. Users who want to use WHAFIS and RUNUP through CHAMP must install all three applications. The CHAMP download above will include the old versions of RUNUP and WHAFIS, these should be replaced with the new versions provided on this page. We recommend that users follow the instructions below to update CHAMP with the updated WHAFIS and RUNUP versions.

How to Update the WHAFIS and RUNUP Programs for CHAMP

  • Download the CHAMP Application using the “CHAMP Application” button above.
  • Run the CHAMP setup.exe file to install the program
  • Download the updated WHAFIS and RUNUP applications:

    Clicking either of these buttons will download a zip file to your computer. The RUNUP zip file will contain a file named “RUNUP2.exe” and three files ending in “.dll”, and the WHAFIS zip file will contain a file named “WHAFIS4.exe”.

  • On your computer, navigate to the Program Files (x86) folder. Inside the Program Files (x86) folder, you will find a folder named CHAMP, which is automatically placed there when you first install CHAMP.
  • Move the newly downloaded WHAFIS4.exe, RUNUP2.exe, and the three associated DLL files to the CHAMP folder to replace the older versions of these files. This can be done by selecting the new files and either dragging and dropping them into the CHAMP folder or by copying and pasting them.
    • Ensure RUNUP and WHAFIS files are named exactly RUNUP2.exe and WHAFIS4.exe
    • For Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) users, this step requires administrative privileges, and may require you to contact the Risk MAP IT Help Desk at FEMA-RiskMAP-ITHelp@fema.dhs.gov for assistance.
  • After moving the files to the CHAMP folder, it will prompt you to replace the existing files. Click “Replace the file in destination” when prompted. You can confirm that the RUNUP2.exe and WHAFIS4.exe have been correctly replaced by confirming the “Date modified” column displays todays date instead of a previous modification date.
Coastal Tools Folder before
The above figure shows the CHAMP folder before copying and pasting in the new RUNUP2.exe, WHAFIS4.exe, and DLL files.
Coastal Tools Folder after
The above figure shows the CHAMP folder after copying and pasting the new RUNUP2.exe, WHAFIS4.exe, and DLL files. The “date modified” column as seen above will contain updated dates, indicating the RUNUP2.exe and WHAFIS4.exe files have been replaced successfully.

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Download Plug-in
Some of the links on this page require a plug-in to view them. Adobe® provides free software that allows viewing certain files without owning the full version of the software. A link to the plug-in is available below.