Natural Currents Energy Services, LLC

Potential Tidal Power for New Jersey 2010-15Sponsored by NJDOT and UTRC

Project Report 140-04

New Jersey Regional Tidal Data Resources

Roger Bason

March 6, 2011

Contact Information: 845-691-4008 (O), rbason@naturalcurrents.com

1. IntroductionA review of available tide data, tables, graphics, interactive Internet services and software that provide both

historical and real time tidal and water current data is presented in support of tasks required for NJDOT

2010-15 Potential Tidal Power for New Jersey. The purpose of this review is to provide both an

understanding of tidal flow dynamics and to identify related information resources. This task is completed (1)

to assist in the identification of the 20 best locations for tidal energy sites in New Jersey and (2) to support

the development of a high-resolution computer model of tidal flows in state river and shoreline areas.

The introduction presents an overview of each of the sections in the paper. Background on the nature and

terminology of tidal flow is then presented to provide a summary of the technical terms describing the various

tide states to enable an understanding of the dynamics of tidal flux and movement.

Next a description is made of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/ National Ocean

Service's (NOS) National Current Observation Program (NCOP) to collect, analyze, and distribute

observations and predictions of currents. The New Jersey sites included in the program are highlighted on

maps and then detailed with accompanying tables that present the information available using this resource.

Section 4 presents a web-based tidal prediction program called Mobile Geographic that provides tables and

maps of sites used for tidal flow predictions. The presentation is made for the applicable sites in New Jersey.

Almost all sites provide information on tidal height. A few of the sites in this resource include tidal currents

speeds. A map identifies the site locations in New Jersey. An example of the data table output is presented

along with a list of options for tidal data presentations by day, month, year. This is followed by a list of all New

Jersey sites for tidal height and current data.

Section 5 provides an example of one of many available tidal software programs. The program that is

detailed is called Mr Tides-3 that is available in both PC and Mac based applications. The Mr Tides-3

software presents data for many sites in New Jersey and also displays the information in four graphical

formats with optional time scales that may be useful in the overall analysis of tidal flows.

Section 6 presents the NOAA Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) system. The objectives

of the PORTS® program are to promote navigation safety, improve the efficiency of U.S. ports and harbors,

and ensure the protection of coastal marine resources. This is a very robust and real time system that may

prove very useful to the 2010-15 Project.

Section 7 presents the NOAA 2011 Tidal Current Predictions. This system will allow you to obtain tidal

current predictions computed by CO-OPS for more than 2,700 tidal current locations along the U.S.

coastline. The publication of full daily predictions is limited to a select number of "reference stations." The

remaining stations are referred to as "subordinate stations." Tidal predictions for subordinate stations are be

obtained by applying specific differences to the times and speeds of the predicted tidal currents for the

specified reference stations. Section 8 presents a real time NOAA Now Coast application that provides both

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sea state and weather data. Section 9 presents the Coastal Digital data based on the Lidar data collection

housed and distributed by the NOAA Coastal Services Center. The data span more than a decade and were

collected using several different sensors. The collection includes data from topographic and bathymetric lidar

sensors.

2. Basic Terminology for Tidal Flow DynamicsThere are several different kinds of currents including oceanic, river, and wind-driven; all with their own driving

force. Tidal currents (a horizontal motion) are a result of the rise and fall of the water level due to tides (a

vertical motion). The effects of tidal currents on the movement of water in and out of bays and harbors can

be substantial. A fundamental understanding of tidal flow dynamics requires an understanding of basic terms

that describe the various aspects of the tidal cycle. These terms include:

Set - The set is the direction that current flows toward. This is the opposite of the way winds are reported.

Drift - This is the speed of a current. On ocean waters it is usually stated in knots; in rivers, mph.

Velocity - As the typical term in physics infers, this is an indication of both speed and direction (set and drift)

Speed - How fast the water is moving in relation to a stationary object (e.g. shore, light house).

Flood Flow - The tidal flood when flow is coming from the sea to the shore (tide is coming in).

Ebb Flow - The tidal ebb when it is coming from shore and returning to the sea (low tide ensuing).

Slack Water - The point between flood and ebb (or ebb and flood) is when there is no horizontal movement.

Stand - The point where vertical changes stop as the tide reverses. This is not the same as slack water; this

is a tidal (vertical) occurrence, not a tidal current (horizontal) occurrence.

Maximum Current - The normal maximum speeds of the ebb and flood currents. This does not include

effects of weather or run off from rain or melting snow, which can significantly effect tidal currents.

Water Characteristics and Related Tidal Flow Example

It has mass, therefore when it moves it has momentum, exerts force, and generates friction.

It's a fluid. Fluids are defined as any substance that has no rigidity. Liquids and gases are both fluids.

It is viscous. Viscosity is defined as a fluid's resistance to motion.

Water is a viscous fluid and exactly how water flows is a function of its viscosity. No matter how you move

water around, it will always take time to move any distance due to its own viscosity, or the interaction of its

viscosity with its surroundings.

As an illustration of the effects of the viscosity of water, consider this: No matter how fast you pour out a

bucket of water, it will always take some amount of time to empty the bucket. Always.

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Figure-1. A Schematic of Tidal Flow in a Bay.

Imagine a large, long, narrow bay on the coast. We position one person on the ship anchored at the opening

to the sea (lower right) and another at the distant white light, a point on the bay as far from the sea as he can

get. We assume the tide is low and there are no tidal currents in the bay.

The tide comes in and reaches high tide at 11 am so the person at the mouth of the bay reports high tide at

11 am. Meanwhile the person inland is still watching the water level rise until, at 1 pm, he announces high

tide where he is. That's a difference of two hours between high tide in the two locations.

Let's look at what actually happens throughout the cycle. As the tide comes in, the water entering the bay

has to overcome slow water to move forward into the bay (viscosity) so this change is not seen at the other

end of the bay immediately. The tidal currents in the bay are now in flood flow.

When the tide is highest at the entrance of the bay, the tide is at high stand in that location, but there is still a

flood flow into the bay because the high stand has not been reached further into the bay yet. A while later,

half way into the bay (the red light), the water also reaches its high stand, but there's still a flood flow

because the high stand has not yet been reached further in.

Finally the high stand is reached all the way inside the bay at the white light and the current stops. It doesn't

reverse; it stops. This is called slack water. Even though the tide may have started going out at the bay's

entrance, the current in the bay stops, like a ball that has been thrown up in the air stops at the apex of its

flight before falling back to earth.

As the tide starts going out, the same thing happens in reverse. The water level once again changes first at

the bay's entrance while the water further in the bay may still be at high stand. The current in the bay,

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though, is now in ebb flow.

When the ocean is at low tide at the entrance of the bay, the water is at its low stand. Further into the bay,

low stand has not yet been reached so the ebb flow continues. Finally low stand is reached all the way inside

the bay and once again slack water occurs in the bay.

To summarize, we can list the sequence of events at any point in the bay, but the time at which these events

occur will be different between any two points at different distances from the sea. The sequence is as follows

(starting at low tide):

Flood flow, when the tide starts to rise.

High stand, when highest water level is reached and flood flow continues.

High slack water, when high stand is reached throughout the bay and flood flow stops.

Ebb flow, when the tide starts to receed.

Low stand, when the lowest water level is reached and ebb flow continues.

Low slack water, when low stand is reached throughout the bay and ebb flow stops.

The same applies to rivers flowing into the sea, but with some important differences. The water flowing from

the river will tend to hinder the movement of water into the river, hence causing the flood current to be less

swift. On the other hand, the ebb flow currents can be extremely swift because water leaving the river at low

tide is augmented by water flowing from the river. Add to that the possibility of rain and/or snow runoff inland

that has caused the river to swell, and ebb currents can be even faster.

In some waters, even the maximum current is so swift that less powerful boats must wait for slack water to

navigate them effectively. In order to safely navigate inshore waters, it is important to be able to predict the

tides. This is accomplished with the use of tide tables. They can be found in various formats and contain

varying amounts of information. Some definitions that are useful in understanding the

Reference Station - Reference stations are points along the coast that are specified stationary points for

the measurement of tides.

Subordinate Station - A subordinate station is a point reporting information relative to it's assigned

reference station. One reference station can be assigned hundreds of subordinate stations. The National

Ocean Service (NOS) collects and publishes tidal data for various geographical areas. These publications

contain data for all reference stations and subordinate stations in a given area.

The data for all points in all areas is given as relative to a reference plane called Mean Lower Low Water

(MLLW).

To predict the tides at a point that is not a reference station, one uses a combination of data from a reference

station and data from a table of 'tidal differences' for that reference station. The table of tidal differences

actually tells the difference between a subordinate station's tides and that of it's 'parent' reference station.

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3. NOAA National Current Observation Program (NCOP)

Figure-2. NOAA National Current Observation (NCOP) Along US Eastern Seaboard

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/ National Ocean Service's (NOS) Center

for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) manages the National Current

Observation Program (NCOP) to collect, analyze, and distribute observations and predictions of

currents. The program's goals are to ensure safe, efficient and environmentally sound maritime

commerce, and to support environmental needs such as HAZMAT response. The principal product

generated by this program is information used to maintain and update the Tidal Current Tables.

Background

- NOAA and its predecessor agencies have collected information on currents in various ports and

harbors, and in the Gulf Stream, since the mid-1800s. The Coast and Geodetic Survey first published

tidal current predictions for the use by mariners on the East Coast in 1890 and for those on the West

Coast in 1898. By 2002, Tidal Current Tables contained predictions for over 2,700 locations throughout

the USA. Most of the data presently in use was collected between 1930 and 1980 when significant

resources were dedicated to the program. From the 1960s through the mid-1980s, two NOAA ships

(the McARTHUR on the West Coast and Alaska, and the FERREL on the East Coast) and numerous

staff oceanographers and technicians were dedicated full-time to the collection, processing, and

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analysis of tidal current data. These complete comprehensive physical oceanographic surveys measured

currents, water levels, water temperatures and salinity, and meteorological data. Many were the first

complete physical studies ever conducted on major U.S. estuaries.

Due to budget cuts and ship reassignments in the late 1980s, the program was reduced significantly.

Since the mid-1990s, the National Current Observation Program has been recognized as fulfilling a vital

mission of national interest to both the maritime industry and environmental stewardship. As a result,

many organizations strongly recommend that it is time for the program's data to be updated.

Future Directions -

Approximately 70 percent of the stations in the 2001 Tidal Current Tables are over 30 years old. Many of

these stations are based on analyses of less than 7 days of data (the data duration is known for 24% of

all stations). Channel dredging and changes in the configuration of ports and harbors over the years

have significantly altered the physical oceanography of many of the nation's estuaries. Reports from

local users indicate that many of the National Ocean Service’s tidal current predictions may be

inaccurate. NOS intends to address these deficiencies by rebuilding the program and re-sampling the

currents at every major port and estuary within the next 20 years. The majority of work to deploy,

recover, and maintain the program's sensors is likely to be conducted by contractors overseen by NOS

staff.

This system will allow the public to obtain tidal current predictions computed by CO-OPS for more than

2,700 tidal current locations along the U.S. coastline. The publication of full daily predictions is limited to

a select number of "reference stations." The remaining stations are referred to as "subordinate stations."

Tidal predictions for subordinate stations are be obtained by applying specific differences to the times

and speeds of the predicted tidal currents for the specified reference stations.

These pages provide a listing of the 2,700 plus reference stations and subordinate stations. Selecting

the "predictions" link beside a station listing will provide tidal current predictions for the location with the

differences already applied.

Unlike tide stations, which are normally located along the shoreline, most tidal current stations are

located offshore in channels, rivers, and bays. Tidal current stations are often named for the channel,

river, or bay in which they are located or for a nearby navigational reference point. A map or some

personal knowledge of the area may be necessary to help identify stations in the area you are interested

in.

The list of subordinate stations has been broken down into states and other areas where tidal current

stations are located. Each state is further broken down into regions. Each region presents a list of the

tidal current stations in the area. The stations are listed geographically; thus, stations that are near each

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other along the shoreline appear together in the listing. This assists the user in locating a station of

interest.

Depth of stations: Although current measurements may have been recorded at various depths in the

past, the data listed for many subordinate stations are mean values determined to have been

representative of the current at each location. For that reason, no specific current meter depths for those

stations are listed. Beginning with the Boston Harbor tidal current survey in 1971, data for individual

meter depths were published and subsequent data will be presented in a similar manner. Most historic

tidal current data is collected from meters suspended from survey vessels or anchored buoys, the listed

depths for these stations are those measured downward from the surface. More recent tidal current

data are collected from meters anchored at fixed depths from the bottom, the listed depths for these

stations are defined as depth below chart datum and will be accompanied by the small letter "d". All

depths listed are in units of feets.

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Figure-3. NOAA NCOP sites in New Jersey.

Data details of NOAA NCOP sites for New Jersey are presented below.

SANDY HOOK BAY Average Speed and Direction Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Highlands Bridge, Shrewsbury River 40° 23.8' 73° 58.8' - - - - 2.6 170 - - - - 2.5 - - Predictions Seabright Bridge, Shrewsbury River 40° 21.9' 73° 58.5' - - - - 1.4 185 - - - - 1.7 - -

RARITAN BAY Average Speed and Direction Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Raritan Bay Reach Channel 15 40° 29.36' 74° 07.06' - - - - 0.6 285 - - - - 0.4 094 Keyport Channel entrance 40° 26.9' 74° 11.9' Current weak and variable Predictions Red Bank, 1.4 miles south of 40° 28.9' 74° 12.6' - - - - 0.6 278 - - - - 0.5 079 Predictions Seguine Point 14 40° 30.24' 74° 11.12' - - - - 0.7 281 0.1 008 0.3 079 Predictions . . . do. 34 40° 30.24' 74° 11.12' - - - - 0.5 285 - - - - 0.2 105 Predictions Ward Point, ESE 14 40° 29.30' 74° 13.48' 0.1 328 0.7 244 0.1 133 0.5 048

RARITAN RIVER Average Speed and Direction Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Railroad Bridge, Raritan River 40° 29.54' 74° 17.00' - - - - 0.9 326 - - - - 0.7 147 Predictions Washington Canal, north entrance 40° 28.3' 74° 22.1' - - - - 1.5 240 - - - - 1.5 060

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Predictions South River entrance 40° 28.7' 74° 22.7' - - - - 1.1 180 - - - - 1.0 000

ARTHUR KILL Average Speed and Direction Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Tottenville, Arthur Kill River 15 40° 30.8' 74° 15.3' - - - - 1.0 023 - - - - 1.1 211 Predictions . . . do. 32 40° 30.8' 74° 15.3' - - - - 0.6 026 - - - - 0.5 207 Predictions Tufts Point-Smoking Point 40° 33.4' 74° 13.4' - - - - 1.2 109 - - - - 1.2 267 Predictions Tremley Point Reach 21 40° 35.18' 74° 12.30' - - - - 0.9 015 - - - - 0.8 198 Predictions Elizabethport 40° 38.8' 74° 10.9' - - - - 1.4 090 - - - - 1.1 262

KILL VAN KULL Average Speed and Direction Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions BERGEN POINT REACH 16 40° 38.5' 74° 08.6' 0.1 346 1.9 260 - - - - 1.4 078 Predictions . . . do 29 40° 38.5' 74° 08.6' - - - - 1.6 263 - - - - 1.3 079 Predictions Bergen Point, East Reach 15 40° 38.42' 74° 07.48' - - - - 1.1 274 - - - - 1.2 094 Predictions New Brighton 15 40° 39.00' 74° 05.06' - - - - 1.3 262 - - - - 1.9 072

NEWARK BAY Average Speed and Direction Min Before Min Before

Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions South Reach, Newark Bay 15 40° 39.36' 74° 08.24' - - - - 0.7 031 0.0 296 0.7 218

Average Speed and DirectionHACKENSACK RIVER Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Lincoln Highway Bridge, north of 40° 44' 74° 06' - - - - 0.9 017 - - - - 0.8 181

NEW JERSEY COAST Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb

Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Shark River Entrance 5d 40° 11.24' 74° 00.76' - - - - 1.9 273 - - - - 1.5 098 Predictions . . . do. 15d 40° 11.24' 74° 00.76' - - - - 1.5 275 - - - - 1.2 097 Predictions Manasquan Inlet 40° 06' 74° 02' - - - - 1.7 300 - - - - 1.8 120 Predictions Manasquan R., hwy. bridge, 40° 06' 74° 03' - - - - 2.2 230 - - - - 2.1 050 main chan Predictions Point Pleasant Canal, north bridge 40° 05' 74° 04' - - - - 1.8 170 - - - - 2.0 350

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Predictions Barnegat Inlet 39° 46' 74° 07' - - - - 2.2 270 - - - - 2.5 090 Predictions Manahawkin Drawbridge 39° 39' 74° 11' - - - - 1.1 030 - - - - 0.9 210 Predictions Absecon Inlet 9d 39° 22.59' 74° 24.87' 0.1 055 2.2 328 - - - - 2.0 147 Predictions . . . do. 42d 39° 22.59' 74° 24.87' 0.1 239 1.9 327 - - - - 1.8 144 Predictions Corsons Inlet Entrance 15d 39° 12.50' 74° 39.11' - - - - 1.6 308 - - - - 1.8 129 Predictions Five Fathom Bank Traffic Lane 35d 38° 47.30' 74° 42.68' - - - - 0.6 304 - - - - 0.4 121 Predictions . . . do. 50d 38° 47.30' 74° 42.68' - - - - 0.4 302 - - - - 0.3 128 Predictions McCrie Shoal 38° 51' 74° 51' - - - - 1.3 280 - - - - 1.4 100 Predictions Cape May Harbor entrance 5d 38° 58.85' 74° 52.36' - - - - 1.6 324 - - - - 1.7 142 Predictions . . . do. 15d 38° 58.85' 74° 52.36' - - - - 1.5 323 - - - - 1.7 142 Predictions . . . do. 28d 38° 58.85' 74° 52.36' 00 - - 1.2 322 00 - - 1.4 143 Predictions Cape May Canal, east end 38° 57' 74° 54' - - - - 1.9 310 - - - - 1.9 130 Predictions Cape May Canal, west end 38° 58' 74° 58' - - - - 0.9 264 - - - - 0.9 089 Average Speed and DirectionDELAWARE BAY and RIVER Min Before Min Before Flood Flood Ebb Ebb Station Depth Latitude Longitude Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir Spd Dir

Predictions Cape May Channel 38° 54' 74° 58' - - - - 1.5 306 - - - - 2.3 150 Predictions Cape May Point, 15d 38° 54.37' 74° 58.68' 0.1 030 1.5 309 0.1 214 1.8 130 1.4 n.mi. SSW ofPredictions . . . do. 25d 38° 54.37' 74° 58.68' 0.1 038 1.1 306 0.1 223 1.2 139 Predictions Cape May Point, 15d 38° 53.40' 74° 59.13' 0.1 228 1.2 299 0.2 208 0.9 146 2.7 n.mi. SSW of Predictions DELAWARE BAY ENTRANCE 22 38° 46.85' 75° 02.58' - - - - 1.4 327 - - - - 1.3 147

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4. Web-based Tidal Prediction Tables and Maps

Other web based tidal prediction tables for New Jersey are presented at the site referenced as

http://www.mobilegeographics.com/tides/. These site locations are presented on the map figure below.

Figure-4. Map Overview of Mobilegeographics Tide Sites in New Jersey

Data for each of these sites is summarized in the table below. Also listed are the time frames for data listing

that may be most appropriate for modeling needs. The listed example is for the Barnegat Bay Inlet, that may

be a promising location for tidal energy development. The site locations indicated on the map in Figure X are

also listed below. It is important to note that most of these sites do not include information on the current

flow, unless the word current is listed following the site name. Points provide tidal height data and time only.

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Barnegat Inlet, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Current

7 March 2011 - 9 March 2011

39.7667° N, 74.1167° W

2011-03-07 03:15 EST -2.38 knots Max Ebb

2011-03-07 05:59 EST 0.01 knots Slack, Flood Begins

2011-03-07 06:20 EST Sunrise

2011-03-07 07:10 EST Moonrise

2011-03-07 08:37 EST 2.13 knots Max Flood

2011-03-07 11:40 EST -0.00 knots Slack, Ebb Begins

2011-03-07 15:26 EST -2.33 knots Max Ebb

2011-03-07 17:54 EST Sunset

2011-03-07 18:06 EST 0.00 knots Slack, Flood Begins

2011-03-07 20:50 EST 2.25 knots Max Flood

2011-03-07 20:52 EST Moonset

2011-03-07 23:58 EST -0.00 knots Slack, Ebb Begins

2011-03-08 03:54 EST -2.28 knots Max Ebb

2011-03-08 06:19 EST Sunrise

2011-03-08 06:39 EST 0.00 knots Slack, Flood Begins

2011-03-08 07:38 EST Moonrise

2011-03-08 09:15 EST 1.99 knots Max Flood

2011-03-08 12:11 EST -0.00 knots Slack, Ebb Begins

2011-03-08 16:00 EST -2.12 knots Max Ebb

2011-03-08 17:55 EST Sunset

2011-03-08 18:38 EST 0.01 knots Slack, Flood Begins

2011-03-08 21:24 EST 2.25 knots Max Flood

2011-03-08 21:51 EST Moonset

Prediction Options

Select display type

Tabular List (quickest)

Text Plot (Plot Type: Horizontal Vertical) (more plot options below)

Graphic Plot: size

One-Month Calendar (Type: Compact Compact+ Calendar Text)

Extreme Highest and Lowest Tides Only

Strict Intervals (Interval Time:

1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes

1 hour, 2 hours. 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day

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List of New Jersey Tidal Height and Current Sites

Toms River (town), Toms River, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Coates Point, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Pavonia, Cooper River, RR. bridge, New Jersey

Seaside Heights, ocean, New Jersey

Philadelphia (USCG Station), Delaware River, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Delaware River

Seaside Park, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Barnegat Pier, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Sloop Creek, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Penrose Avenue Bridge, Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania

Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge, Darby Creek, Pennsylvania (2)

Norwood City, Darby Creek, Pennsylvania Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge, Darby Creek, Pennsylvania

Wanamaker Bridge, Darby Creek, Pennsylvania

Westville, Rt. 47 bridge, Big Timber Creek, New Jersey

Cedar Creek, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Woodbury Creek, New Jersey

Island Beach, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Billingsport, New Jersey

Stouts Creek, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Paulsboro, Mantua Creek, New Jersey

Forked River, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania

Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania (sub)

Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, Delaware River, Pennsylvania

Oyster Creek, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Bridgeport, Raccoon Creek, New Jersey

Bridgeport, Raccoon Creek, New Jersey, Delaware River, New Jersey

Mantua, Mantua Creek, New Jersey

Waretown, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey (2)

Island Beach, Sedge Islands, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Barnegat Inlet, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Current Barnegat Inlet, USCG Station, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Pedricktown, Oldmans Creek, Delaware River, New Jersey

Barnegat Inlet (inside), New Jersey

Pedricktown, Oldmans Creek, New Jersey

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High Bar, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Edgemoor, Delaware Edgemoor, Delaware River, Delaware

Double Creek, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Loveladies Harbor, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Millside, RR. bridge, Christina River, Delaware

Millside, RR. bridge, Delaware

Wilmington Marine Terminal, Delaware

Wilmington Marine Terminal, Christina River, Delaware

Auburn, Oldmans Creek, Delaware River, New Jersey

Auburn, Oldmans Creek, New Jersey

Flat Creek, Manahawkin Bay, New Jersey Salem Canal entrance, Delaware River, New Jersey

North Beach, Manahawkin Bay, New Jersey

Manahawkin Creek, Manahawkin Bay, New Jersey

Mill Creek, 1 n.mi. above entrance, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Mill Creek, 1 n.mi. above entrance, New Jersey

Dinner Point Creek, upper end, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

New Castle, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Delaware

New Castle, Delaware River, Delaware

Dinner Point Creek, upper end, New Jersey

New Castle, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Delaware (2) Cedar Run, New Jersey

Cedar Run, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Manahawkin Drawbridge, Manahawkin Bay, New Jersey

West Creek, Westecunk Creek, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

West Creek, Westecunk Creek, New Jersey

Sweetwater, Mullica River Marina, Mullica River, New Jersey

Sweetwater, Mullica River Marina, New Jersey

Wading River (town), Wading River, New Jersey

Wading River (town), Wading River, Mullica River, New Jersey

Parker Run, upper end, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey Parker Run, upper end, New Jersey

Beach Haven Crest, New Jersey

Westecunk Creek entrance, New Jersey

Beach Haven Crest, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Westecunk Creek entrance, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Green Bank, Mullica River, New Jersey

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Green Bank, New Jersey

Tuckerton, Tuckerton Creek, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey Tuckerton, Tuckerton Creek, New Jersey

Port Deposit, Susquehanna River, Maryland

New Gretna, Bass River, Mullica River, New Jersey

New Gretna, Bass River, New Jersey

Pea Patch Island, Bulkhead Shoal Channel, Delaware River, Delaware

Delaware City, Delaware River, Delaware

Delaware City, Delaware River, Delaware (sub)

Salem, Salem River, New Jersey

Tuckerton Creek entrance, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Tuckerton Creek entrance, New Jersey Old Frenchtown Wharf, Elk River, Maryland

Charlestown, Northeast River, Maryland (2)

Pea Patch Island, Bulkhead Shoal Channel, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Delaware

Charlestown, Northeast River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Charlestown, Northeast River, Maryland

Delaware City Branch Channel bridge, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Delaware

Delaware City Branch Channel bridge, Delaware River, Delaware

Sinnickson Landing, Salem River, New Jersey

Old Frenchtown Wharf, Maryland

Reedy Point, Delaware (2) (expired 1994-12-31) Reedy Point, C&D Canal, Delaware

Reedy Point, Delaware

St. Georges, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Delaware

Hendersons Point, Maryland Current

Beach Haven Coast Guard Station, New Jersey

Cramers Boatyard, New Jersey

Beach Haven Coast Guard Station, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Cramers Boatyard, Mullica River, New Jersey

Quinton, Alloway Creek, New Jersey

Graveling Point, Great Bay, New Jersey Graveling Point, New Jersey

Havre de Grace, Susquehanna River, Maryland

Havre de Grace, Susquehanna River, Maryland (sub)

Havre de Grace, Susquehanna River, Maryland (2)

Nacote Creek, U.S. Highway 9 bridge, Mullica River, New Jersey

Nacote Creek, U.S. Highway 9 bridge, New Jersey

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Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Maryland/Delaware Current

Summit Bridge, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Delaware Red Point, 0.2 mile W of, Northeast River, Maryland Current (7d)

Chesapeake City, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Maryland

Chesapeake City, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Maryland (sub)

Chesapeake City, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, New Jersey

Little Sheepshead Creek, New Jersey

Little Sheepshead Creek, Great Bay, New Jersey

Seven Island, Newmans Thorofare, Great Bay, New Jersey

Seven Island, Newmans Thorofare, New Jersey

Courthouse Point, Maryland

Coopers Creek bridge, Alloway Creek, New Jersey Abbots Meadow, Alloway Creek, New Jersey

Shooting Thorofare, Little Egg Inlet, New Jersey

Shooting Thorofare, Little Egg Inlet, Great Bay, New Jersey

2.5 n.mi. above entrance, Alloway Creek, New Jersey

Old Town Point Wharf, northwest of, Maryland Current (17d)

Old Town Point Wharf, northwest of, Maryland Current (29d)

Old Town Point Wharf, Maryland

Town Point Wharf, Elk River, Maryland

Fishing Battery Light, Susquehanna River, Maryland

0.8 n.mi. above entrance, Alloway Creek, New Jersey Rocky Pt. (Elk Neck), 0.25 n.mi. SW of, Maryland Current (9d)

Spesutie Island, channel north of, Maryland Current (7d)

Main Marsh Thorofare, New Jersey

Arnold Point, 0.4 mile west of, Maryland Current

Artificial Island, Salem Nuclear Plant, Delaware River, New Jersey

Canton, Stow Creek, Delaware River, New Jersey

Canton, Stow Creek, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Artificial Island, Salem Nuclear Plant, New Jersey

Hope Creek, 0.6 n.mi. above entrance, New Jersey

Hope Creek, 0.6 n.mi. above entrance, Delaware River, New Jersey Mays Landing, Great Egg Harbor River, New Jersey

Turkey Point, 1.2 n.mi. SW of, Maryland Current (9d)

Brigantine Channel @ Hoffman Thorofare, New Jersey

1 n.mi. above entrance, Mad Horse Creek, New Jersey

Mad Horse Creek, 1 n.mi. above entrance, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Absecon, Absecon Creek, U.S. Hwy. 30 bridge, New Jersey

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Pine Island, Malapartis Creek, Mad Horse Creek, New Jersey

Raccoon Ditch, Newport Meadows, Stow Creek, Delaware River, New Jersey Pine Island, Malapartis Creek, Mad Horse Creek, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Raccoon Ditch, Newport Meadows, Stow Creek, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Liston Point, Delaware

Stathems Neck, Stow Creek, Delaware River, New Jersey

Stathems Neck, Stow Creek, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Taylors Bridge, Blackbird Creek, Delaware

Taylors Bridge, Blackbird Creek, Delaware River, Delaware

Grove Point, 0.7 n.mi.NW of, Maryland Current (14d)

Millville, Maurice River, New Jersey

Pond Point, Bush River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Absecon Channel, State Route 87 bridge, New Jersey

Pond Point, Susquehanna River, Maryland

Greenwich Pier, Cohansey River, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Pleasantville, Lakes Bay, Great Egg Harbor Inlet, New Jersey

Grove Point, Maryland Current

Tindalls Wharf, Cohansey River, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Howell Point, 0.4 mile NNW of, Maryland Current

Ordinary Point, 0.4 mile west of, Maryland Current

Sassafras River, Betterton, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Betterton, Maryland Howell Point, 0.8 n.mi. west of, Maryland Current (15d)

River Bend Marina, Great Egg Harbor River, New Jersey

Georgetown, Maryland Current

Bush River, 0.4 mi. SW of Bush Point, Maryland Current

Atlantic City (Steel Pier), New Jersey

Atlantic City (Steel Pier), New Jersey (2) (expired 1989-12-31)

Atlantic City (Steel Pier), New Jersey (3)

Atlantic City (Steel Pier), New Jersey (4)

Atlantic City, Atlantic Ocean, New Jersey

Dock Thorofare, Risley Channel, New Jersey Menantico Creek entrance, Maurice River, New Jersey

Woodland Beach, Delaware River, Delaware

Woodland Beach, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Steelmanville, Patcong Ck., 2.5 n.mi. above ent, Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey

Steelmanville, Patcong Ck., 2.5 n.mi. above ent., New Jersey

Ventnor City, ocean pier, New Jersey

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Battery Point, Gunpowder River, Maryland

Worton Point, 1.1 miles northwest of, Maryland Current Port Elizabeth, Manumuskin River, Maurice River, New Jersey

Gunpowder River entrance, Maryland Current

Worton Point, 1.5 n.mi. WSW of, Maryland Current (17d)

Longport (inside), Great Egg Harbor Inlet, New Jersey

Back Creek entrance, Nantuxent Cove, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Ship John Shoal, Delaware River, New Jersey

Bowley Bar, Middle River, Maryland

Worton Creek entrance, Maryland

Cedar Creek entrance, Nantuxent Cove, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Worton Creek entrance, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Robins Point, 0.7 mile ESE of, Maryland Current (5d)

Tuckahoe, Tuckahoe River, Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey

Tuckahoe, Tuckahoe River, Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey (sub)

Tuckahoe, Tuckahoe River, New Jersey

Tuckahoe, Tuckahoe River, New Jersey (2)

Newport Landing, Nantuxent Creek, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Beesleys Point, New Jersey

Beesleys Point, Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey

Mauricetown, Maurice River, New Jersey

Money Island, Nantuxent Creek entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey Fells Point, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland

Pooles Island, Susquehanna River, Maryland

Ocean City, 9th Street Bridge, New Jersey

Hollywood Beach, The Glades, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Miller Island, 1.5 miles ENE of, Maryland Current (7d)

Pooles Island, 1.6 n.mi. east of, Maryland Current (16d)

Baltimore (Fort McHenry), Maryland

Middle Branch, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland

Fort McHenry Marsh, Patapsco River, Maryland

Pooles Island, 0.8 mile south of, Maryland Current Millington, Maryland

Crumpton, Maryland

Lynch Point, Back River, Maryland Current

Rocky Point, Back River, Maryland

Rocky Point, Back River, Maryland (2)

Weir Creek bridge, Dividing Creek, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

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Weir Creek bridge, Dividing Creek, Maurice River, New Jersey

Cedar Swamp Creek, Tuckahoe River, Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey Cedar Swamp Creek, Tuckahoe River, New Jersey

Pooles Island 2.0 n.mi. SSW of, Maryland Current (15d)

Crumpton, Chester River, Maryland

Crumpton, Chester River, Maryland (sub)

Leipsic, Leipsic River, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Leipsic River entrance, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Fortescue Creek, New Jersey

Bivalve, Maurice River, New Jersey

Pooles Island, 4 miles southwest of, Maryland Current

Riggins Ditch, Heislerville, Delaware Bay, New Jersey Tolchester Beach, 0.33 n.mi. west of, Maryland Current (15d)

Dividing Creek entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

West Creek, Route 47 bridge, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Dividing Creek entrance, Maurice River, New Jersey

Fort Carroll, Maryland

Fishing Creek entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Middle Thorofare, Ocean Drive bridge, Corson Inlet, New Jersey

Middle Thorofare, Ocean Drive bridge, New Jersey

North Point, 2.5 miles northeast of, Maryland Current (7d)

Tolchester Beach, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (2) Tolchester Beach, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Tolchester Beach, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (sub)

East Creek, Route 47 bridge, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Hawkins Point, Patapsco River, Maryland

Chestertown, Maryland Current

Chestertown, Chester River, Maryland

Chestertown, Maryland

East Point, Maurice River Cove, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Riggins Ditch, 0.5 n.mi. above entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Strathmere, Strathmere Bay, Corson Inlet, New Jersey Strathmere, Strathmere Bay, New Jersey

North Point, Patapsco River, Maryland

North Point, Maryland

Tolchester Channel, south of Buoy '38B', Maryland Current (15d)

Tolchester Channel, Buoy '22', Maryland Current (15d)

West Creek, 0.7 n.mi. above entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

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Mahon River entrance, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Dennis Creek, Route 47 bridge, Delaware Bay, New Jersey Tolchester Channel, SW of Bouy '58B', Maryland Current (17d)

Tolchester Channel, SW of Bouy '58B', Maryland Current (25d)

Dennis Creek, 2.5 n.mi. above entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Ludlam Bay, west side, Corson Inlet, New Jersey

Ludlam Bay, west side, New Jersey

Shipyard Landing, Langford Creek, Maryland

Stony Creek, Patapsco River, Maryland

Brewerton Channel Eastern Ext., Buoy '7', Maryland Current (14d)

Swan Point, 1.6 miles northwest of, Maryland Current

Sluice Creek, Route 47 bridge, Dennis Creek, Delaware Bay, New Jersey Baltimore (Chesapeake Bay), Maryland

Sevenfoot Knoll Light, Maryland

Swan Point, 2.15 n.mi. west of, Maryland Current (18d)

Townsend Sound, Townsends Inlet, New Jersey

Townsend Sound, New Jersey

Deep Landing, Swan Creek, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Deep Landing, Swan Creek, Maryland

Miah Maull Shoal Light, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Bidwell Creek entrance, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Craighill Angle, right outside quarter, Maryland Current Ocean Drive bridge, Townsends Inlet, New Jersey

Ocean Drive bridge, New Jersey

Stites Sound, New Jersey

Stites Sound, Townsends Inlet, New Jersey

Bidwell Creek, Route 47 bridge, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Cliffs Wharf, Chester River, Maryland

Cliffs Wharf, Maryland

Ingram Thorofare, New Jersey

Ingram Thorofare, Townsends Inlet, New Jersey

Swan Point, 2.7 n.mi. SW of, Maryland Current (14d) Swan Point, 2.7 n.mi. SW of, Maryland Current (27d)

Cliffs Point, Chester River, Maryland

Cliffs Point, Maryland

Deep Point, Maryland Current

Long Reach, Ingram Thorofare, Townsends Inlet, New Jersey

Long Reach, Ingram Thorofare, New Jersey

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Cornfield Creek, Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Craighill Channel, Belvidere Shoal, Maryland Current (18d) Dias Creek, Route 47 bridge, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Craighill Channel, NE of Mountain Pt, Maryland Current

Love Point, 2.5 miles north of, Maryland Current

Love Point, 2.0 nmi north of, Maryland Current (15d)

Love Point, 2.0 nmi north of, Maryland Current (5d)

Mountain Point, Magothy River, Maryland

St. Jones River entrance, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Mountain Point, Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Murderkill River entrance, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Mountain Point, Magothy River entrance, Maryland Current Stone Harbor, Great Channel, Hereford Inlet, New Jersey

Stone Harbor, Great Channel, New Jersey

Centreville Landing, Corsica River, Maryland

Centreville Landing, Corsica River, Chester River, Maryland

Craighill Channel entrance, Buoy '2C', Maryland Current (15d)

Craighill Channel entrance, Buoy '2C', Maryland Current (38d)

Love Point, 1.6 n.mi. east of, Maryland Current (16d)

Love Point, Chester River, Maryland

Love Point, Maryland

Nummy Island, Grassy Sound Channel, New Jersey Nummy Island, Grassy Sound Channel, Hereford Inlet, New Jersey

Brewer Point, Severn River, Maryland

Brewer Point, Maryland

Old Turtle Thorofare, RR. bridge, New Jersey

North Highlands Beach, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Old Turtle Thorofare, RR. bridge, Hereford Inlet, New Jersey

Sandy Point, Maryland

Baltimore Harbor Approach, Maryland Current

Baltimore Harbor Approach (off Sandy Point), Maryland Current

Hail Point, 0.7 n.mi.east of, Maryland Current (16d) West Wildwood, Grassy Sound, Hereford Inlet, New Jersey

West Wildwood, Grassy Sound, New Jersey

Sandy Point, 0.8 n.mi. ESE of, Maryland Current (15d)

Sandy Point, 0.8 n.mi. ESE of, Maryland Current (43d)

Sandy Point, 2.3 n.mi. east of, Maryland Current (15d)

Sandy Point, 2.3 n.mi. east of, Maryland Current (41d)

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Queenstown, Maryland

Queenstown, Chester River, Maryland Chesapeake Bay Bridge, main channel, Maryland Current

Brandywine Shoal Light, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Brandywine Shoal Light, Delaware Bay, New Jersey (sub)

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis, Maryland (2)

Annapolis (US Naval Academy), Severn River, Maryland

Annapolis (US Naval Academy), Severn River, Maryland (sub)

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland

Swain Channel, Taylor Sound, Cape May Inlet, New Jersey

Swain Channel, Taylor Sound, New Jersey Wildwood Crest, Sunset Lake, New Jersey

Wildwood Crest, Sunset Lake, Cape May Inlet, New Jersey

Wildwood Crest, ocean pier, New Jersey

Greenbury Point, 1.8 miles east of, Maryland Current (8d)

Kent Island Narrows (highway bridge), Maryland Current (4d)

Cape May, ferry terminal, Delaware Bay, New Jersey (3)

Cape May Canal, Cape May, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Cape May, ferry terminal, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

Cape May, ferry terminal, Delaware Bay, New Jersey (2)

Kent Island Narrows, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Greenbury Point Shoal Light, Maryland

Greensboro, Choptank River, Maryland

Kent Island Narrows, Maryland

Gingerville Creek, Maryland (2)

Matapeake, Kent Island, Maryland

Gingerville Creek, Maryland

Gingerville Creek, South River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Matapeake, Kent Island, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Edgewater, South River, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Edgewater, South River, Maryland Cape May Harbor, New Jersey

Cape May Harbor, Cape May Inlet, New Jersey

Mispillion River entrance, Delaware Bay, Delaware

Cape Island Creek, Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May Point, Sunset Beach, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

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5. Tidal Software

An effective software program suitable for both PC and Mac applications includes Mr Tides 3. Natural

Currents is moving to Mac based platform for much of its operations so Mr Tides 3 - for the Mac is a

convenient and effective tool that can be downloaded for free from the Internet. The following figures present

an overview of the functionality of the this program provides for sites in New Jersey.

Figure-5. Mr. Tides-3 Software Provides Many Mapped Site for Tidal Flow in New Jersey

Figures 5,6,7,8 and 9 present the various graphics presentations of data available to Mr Tides-3 users. These

include graphs of the (6) tidal height changes over time for days, (7) tidal height changes for a monthly cycle,

(8) the same tidal height data presented in tabular form, and (9) a calendar and clock graphic to identify tidal

states at a glance.

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Figure-6. Mr. Tides-3 Presentation of Tidal Height by date

Figure-7. Mr. Tides-3 Tidal State with Monthly Cycle

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Figure-8. Mr. Tides-3 Tidal State in Tabular Form

Figure-9. Mr. Tides-3 Tidal State with Clock Graphic

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6. Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®)

The National Ocean Service (NOS) is responsible for providing real-time oceanographic data and other

navigation products to promote safe and efficient navigation within U.S. waters. The need for these

products is great and rapidly increasing; maritime commerce has tripled in the last 50 years and

continues to grow. Ships are getting larger, drawing more water and pushing channel depth limits to

derive benefits from every last inch of draft. By volume, more than 95 percent of U.S. international trade

moves through the nation's ports and harbors, with about 50 percent of these goods being hazardous

materials. A major challenge facing the nation is to improve the economic efficiency and competitiveness

of U.S. maritime commerce, while reducing risks to life, property, and the coastal environment. With

increased marine commerce comes increased risks to the coastal environment, making marine

navigation safety a serious national concern. From 1996 through 2000, for example, commercial vessels

in the United States were involved in nearly 12,000 collisions, allisions, and groundings.

Figure-10. Schematic Diagram of PORTS data acquistion methods

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PORTS® - PORTS® is a decision support tool that improves the safety and efficiency of maritime

commerce and coastal resource management through the integration of real-time environmental

observations, forecasts and other geospatial information. PORTS® measures and disseminates

observations and predictions of water levels, currents, salinity, and meteorological parameters (e.g., winds,

atmospheric pressure, air and water temperatures) that mariners need to navigate safely.

Program Objectives - The objectives of the PORTS® program are to promote navigation safety, improve

the efficiency of U.S. ports and harbors, and ensure the protection of coastal marine resources.

Navigation Safety - The real-time tide and current data provided through PORTS® represents one

component of NOS's integrated program to promote safe navigation. PORTS® data, when combined

with up-to-date nautical charts and precise positioning information, can provide the mariner with a

clearer picture of the potential dangers that may threaten navigation safety. NOS fulfills its navigation

safety mission in close concert with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers.

Improved Economic Efficiency - Our nation's waterfronts, ports and harbors have historically been

centers of rapid industrial and urban growth, and have advanced critical national objectives by

promoting energy exploration, fishery production, commerce, and recreation. In 2002 alone, commercial

port activities provided employment for 1.1 million Americans and $44 billion in personal income, and

generated approximately $16 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Increasingly, shipping companies

are implementing new navigation systems aboard ships to maximize cargo load while reducing

uncertainties in under keel clearances. These new systems rely on the availability of real-time tide/current

and other information. One additional foot of draft may account for between $36,000 and $288,000 of

increased profit per transit. Knowledge of the currents, water levels, winds, and density of the water can

increase the amount of cargo moved through a port and harbor by enabling mariners to safely utilize

every inch of dredged channel depth.

Coastal Resource Protection - Most ports are located at the mouths of major estuaries, which

provide critical habitat for many important biological resources. For example, coastal waters provide

nurseries and spawning grounds for 70 percent of U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries.

Commercial fishing employs over 350,000 people in vessel- and shore-related fisheries work. An

additional 17 million people participate in recreational saltwater fishing, spending $7.2 billion annually.

Activities at ports can greatly affect these critical resources; dredging is but one such activity. Each year

in the U.S., approximately 400 million cubic yards of dredged material are removed from navigation

channels, berths, and terminals.

The prevention of maritime accidents is the most cost-effective measure that can be taken to protect

fragile coastal ecosystems. In 2004 alone, NOS's Office of Response and Restoration responded to

over 120 events, including the release of 270,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware River near

Philadelphia, and spill of over 400,000 gallons of bunker oil in Alaska. One major oil spill (e.g., the 1989

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Exxon VALDEZ accident) can cost billions of dollars and destroy sensitive marine habitats critical to

coastal ecosystems. PORTS® provides information to make navigation safer, thus reducing the likelihood

of a maritime accident, and also provides information to mitigate the damages from a spill, should one

occur.

PORTS® provides accurate real-time oceanographic information, tailored to the specific needs of the

local community. PORTS® systems come in a variety of sizes and configurations, each specifically

designed to meet local user requirements. The largest of NOS's existing PORTS® installations is

comprised of over 50 separate instruments; the smallest consists of a single water-level gauge and

associated meteorological instruments (e.g., winds, barometric pressure, etc.). Regardless of its size,

each PORTS® installation provides information that allows mariners to maintain an adequate margin of

safety for the increasingly large vessels visiting U.S. ports, while allowing port operators to maximize port

throughput.

PORTS® has the potential to save the maritime insurance industry from multi-million dollar claims

resulting from shipping accidents. PORTS® is accessible to maritime users in a variety of user-friendly

formats, including telephone voice response and Internet. PORTS® also provides forecasts via numerical

circulation models. Telephone voice access to accurate real-time water-level information allows U.S. port

authorities and maritime shippers to make sound decisions regarding loading of tonnage (based on

available bottom clearance), maximizing loads, and limiting passage times without compromising safety.

PORTS provides data for Northern New Jersey (New York and New Jersey Harbor) and for the Southern

portion of the state (Delaware River and Bay).

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Figure-11. Display of PORTS Graphical Data Interface

Figure-12. Locations for PORTS tidal data in Southern New Jersey

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Figure-13. Example of Tabular Data Output for PORTS Program

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Figure-14. Example of PORTS Tidal Monitoring Sites in Northern New Jersey

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Figure-15. Example of Output for PORTS sites in Northern New Jersey

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Figure-16. NOAA Tidal Currents Data Interface

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7. NOAA 2011 Tidal Current Predictions

This system will allow you to obtain tidal current predictions computed by CO-OPS for more than 2,700

tidal current locations along the U.S. coastline. The publication of full daily predictions is limited to a

select number of "reference stations." The remaining stations are referred to as "subordinate stations."

Tidal predictions for subordinate stations are be obtained by applying specific differences to the times

and speeds of the predicted tidal currents for the specified reference stations.

These pages provide a listing of the 2,700 plus reference stations and subordinate stations. Selecting the

"predictions" link beside a station listing will provide tidal current predictions for the location with the

differences already applied.

Unlike tide stations, which are normally located along the shoreline, most tidal current stations are located

offshore in channels, rivers, and bays. Tidal current stations are often named for the channel, river, or bay

in which they are located or for a nearby navigational reference point. A map or some personal

knowledge of the area may be necessary to help identify stations in the area you are interested in.

The list of subordinate stations has been broken down into states and other areas where tidal current

stations are located. Each state is further broken down into regions. Each region presents a list of the

tidal current stations in the area. The stations are listed geographically; thus, stations that are near each

other along the shoreline appear together in the listing. This assists the user in locating a station of

interest.

Depth of stations: Although current measurements may have been recorded at various depths in the

past, the data listed for many subordinate stations are mean values determined to have been

representative of the current at each location. For that reason, no specific current meter depths for those

stations are listed. Beginning with the Boston Harbor tidal current survey in 1971, data for individual

meter depths were published and subsequent data will be presented in a similar manner. Most historic

tidal current data is collected from meters suspended from survey vessels or anchored buoys, the listed

depths for these stations are those measured downward from the surface. More recent tidal current data

are collected from meters anchored at fixed depths from the bottom, the listed depths for these stations

are defined as depth below chart datum and will be accompanied by the small letter "d". All depths listed

are in units of feet.

Bookmarks may be created to the daily predictions for specific stations using the URL listed when the

predictions are displayed. However, that link will only provide access to the predictions for the year

available when the bookmark was created. Each successive year of predictions will use a different URL

address, and thus any bookmarks must be updated to access each new year of predictions.

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8. NOAA Now Coast

Figure-17. NOAA Now Coastal real time data screen for New Jersey

Data can be selected by a user-defined area of interest in real time for both sea states and weather data.

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9. Digital Coast – NOAA Coastal Services Center - LIDAR - Data Specifications

http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/action/slr-delaware.html

Figure-18. An example of LIDAR digital elevation model generated for a location in coastal

Delaware

Many different partners and groups, and several Center-led data projects, have contributed to the lidar data

collection housed and distributed by the NOAA Coastal Services Center. The data span more than a decade

and were collected using several different sensors. The collection includes data from topographic and

bathymetric LIDAR sensors. Data are available for all of the coastal states and range from shoreline strips to

full county coverage. The products have been delivered to the Center in various formats, projections,

datums, and units. Once received, the data are reviewed, checked for errors, and standardized in a single

format, projection, and datum.

Area of Coverage: Partial or full coastal counties

Date(s) Available: 1997 to present (vary by location)

Format: Points in ASCII X,Y,Z, or LAS; digital elevation models (DEMs) in floating point grid, GeoTIFF, and

ASCII Grid; and contours in shapefile and AutoCad exchange formats

Resolution: Point spacing is 0.1 to 8 pts/meter2

Accuracy: Elevations at 95 percent confidence typically better than 30 centimeters (cm)

Ocean Spatial Planning

NOAA Digital Coast

http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/action/slr-delaware.html

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SummaryBasic terminology that defines tidal states and flow conditions are presented in the introduction. Nine types

of tide data tables, graphics, interactive Internet services and software that provide both historical and real

time tidal and water current data are presented in support of tasks required for NJDOT 2010-15 Potential

Tidal Power for New Jersey.

Historical data and real time data have various applications to the NJDOT 2010-15 Project and may prove

useful in both the computer model verification and the identification of the best sites for tidal energy

development.

Depending on the particular application of choice, tabular or graphic presentations may be most helpful for a

particular use or site location covered in the scope of a particular service or system of tidal flow reference.

The key point in all applications is that they are of coarse granularity and not detailed enough to provide the

necessary information to either calibrate a high-resolution computer model of the tides or provide conclusive

information about the site location of a tidal energy plant.

Careful review and comparison of the available data presented in these models can yield helpful indications

of areas for further study and detailed field site assessments.

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References:

1. www.lobstermanspage.net. About Tides.

2. www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/curr_pred.html

3. www.mobilegeographics.com/tides/

4. www.mrtides.com

5. www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/PORTS/html

6. www.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/

7. www.nowcoast.noaa.gov

8. www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/data/coastallidar/download.html

9. NOAA’s Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP)

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