Adjust font size: Ever wonder the distinction between the different tide or the difference between a bank and coast line. Below are some common terms to help visitors brush up on their beach lingo and become experts in no time.

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The gradual and imperceptible accumulation of land by natural causes, as out of the sea or a river. This may be the result from a deposit of alluvion upon the shore, or by a recession of the water from the shore. Accretion is the act, while alluvion is the deposit itself. (Shalowitz 1964)

Degree of conformity with a standard. Accuracy relates to the quality of a result and is distinguished from precision which relates to the quality of the operation by which the result is obtained. (Ellis 1978)

Line drawn on a map or chart in lieu of a mean high water line (MHWL) or the mean water level line (MWLL) in areas where either may be obscured by marsh, mangrove, cypress, or other type of marine vegetation. This line represents the intersection of the appropriate datum on the outer limits of vegetation and appears to the navigator as the shoreline. (Ellis 1978)

The loss of lands bordering on the seashore by sudden or violent action of the elements, perceptible while in progress; a sudden and rapid change in the course and channel of a boundary river. Neither of these changes works a change in the riparian boundary. (Shalowitz 1964)

That part of the beach that is usually dry, being reached only by the highest tides, and by extension, a narrow strip of relatively flat coast bordering the sea. (Ellis 1978)

Edge of a cut or fill; the margin of the watercourse; an elevation of the seafloor located on a continental shelf or an island shelf and over which the depth of water is relatively shallow but sufficient for safe surface avigation (reefs or shoals, dangerous to surface navigation may arise above the general depths of a bank). (Ellis 1978)

(According to Public Law 31) Defined as the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters. (Shalowitz 1964)

Reference used to position limits of the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone. Source data from which the base line is determined are the mean low water line (MLWL) on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the mean lower low water line (MLLWL) on the Pacific coast, Alaska, and Hawaii. The United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea defined the low waterline along the coast, as shown on large-scale charts of the coastal State (country) to be the base line for determining the limit of the territorial limit.(Ellis 1978)

Science of measuring water depths (usually in the ocean) in order to determine bottom topography. (Ellis 1978)

Zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the low water line to the place where there is marked changes in material or physiographic form, or to the line of permanent vegetation (usually the effective limit of storm waves). A beach includes foreshore and backshore. (Ellis 1978)

Nearly horizontal portion of the beach or backshore formed by the deposit of materials by wave action. Some beaches have no berms, others have one or several. (Ellis 1978)

A fixed physical object or mark used as reference for a vertical datum. A tidal bench mark is one near a tide station to which the tide staff and tidal datums are referred. A primary bench mark is the principal (or only) mark of a group of tidal bench marks to which the tide staff and tidal datums are referred. The standard tidal bench mark of the National Ocean Service is a brass, bronze, or aluminum alloy disk 3-? inches in diameter containing the inscription NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE together with other individual identifying information. A geodetic bench mark identifies a surveyed point in the National Geodetic Vertical Network. Most geodetic bench mark disks contain the inscription VERTICAL CONTROL MARK NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY with other individual identifying information. Benchmark disks of either type may, on occasion, serve simultaneously to reference both tidal and geodetic datums. Numerous bench marks of predecessor organizations to NOS, or parts of other organizations absorbed into NOS, still bear the inscriptions: U.S. COAST & GEODETIC SURVEY, NATIONAL OCEAN SURVEY, U.S. LAKE SURVEY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, and U.S. ENGINEER OFFICE. (Hicks 1984) Bench mark set to reference a tide staff at a tidal station, the elevation of which is determined with relation to the local tide station. (Ellis 1978)

Nearly horizontal portion of a beach or backshore having an abrupt fall and formed by wave deposition of material and marking the limit of ordinary high tides. (Ellis 1978)

Seaward limit of a berm. (Ellis 1978)

A cliff or headland with an almost perpendicular face. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Land below navigable freshwater bodies.(Coastal States Organization 1997)

Survey made to establish or to reestablish a boundary line on the ground, or to obtain data for constructing a map or plat showing a boundary line. (Ellis 1978)

A printed reproduction of a compilation of data derived from topographic and hydrographic surveys and miscellaneous information for use in marine navigation. The distinction between a survey and a chart is that the first is an original record of a given date, whereas the second is a compilation of many surveys of different dates. (Shalowitz 1964)

The nearshore zone across which the dominant sediment motion occurs.

Land rising abruptly for a considerable distance above the water or surrounding land. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

A sand body that is essentially parallel to the shore, the crest of which is above normal high water level.

General region of indefinite width that extends from the sea inland to the first major change in terrain features. (Ellis 1978)

The zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the low water line to the place where there is marked change in material or physiographic form, or to the line of permanent vegetation (usually the effective limit of storm waves). The seaward limit of a beach unless otherwise specified is the mean low water line.

The intersection of the ground surface with a vertical plane; may extend from behind the dune line or the top of a bluff to seaward of the breaker zone.

Pumping sand onto the beach and building up former dunes and upper beach after construction of an initial nourishment.

Organisms that live on the sub-aquatic bottom.

Biogenous sediments consist of the remains of either marine plant or animal skeletons, either coarse grained as found in shallow coastal waters, or fine grained as found in deeper waters.

A term used to describe the site identified for, or remaining after, borrow material has been removed for placement onto a beach. In upland areas, the site frequently becomes a body of water. In marine areas, the site becomes a hole in a bay or nearshore area.

The mean high water line (MHWL) or mean higher high water line (MHHWL) when tidal lines are used as the coastal boundary. Also, lines used as boundaries inland of and measured from (or points thereon) the MHWL or MHHWL. See marine boundary. (Hicks 1984)

A large and thick accumulation of carbonate strata that it typically isolated from other land masses.

Sediment formed by the organic or inorganic precipitation from aqueous solution of carbonates of calcium, magnesium, or iron.

The depth of water beyond which sediments are not normally affected by waves.

Origin, structure, and characteristics of the sediments that make up the coastal region, from the uplands to the nearshore region. Sediments can vary from small particles of silt or sand to larger particles of gravel and cobble, to formations of consolidated sediments and rock.

A broad, low relief region composed of horizontal or gently sloping strata of clastic materials fronting the coast, and generally representing a strip of sea bottom that has emerged from the sea in recent geologic time.

The identification of sediment sources and sinks, and the quantification of the amounts and rates of sediment transport, erosion, and deposition within a defined region.

The term coastal zone means the coastal waters (including the lands therein and thereunder) and the adjacent shorelands (including the waters therein and thereunder), strongly influenced by each and in proximity to the shorelines of the several coastal states, and includes islands, transitional and inter-tidal areas, salt marshes, wetlands, and beaches. The zone extends, in Great Lakes waters, to the international boundary between the Unites States and Canada and in other areas seaward to the outer limit of the United States Shoreline Data - Shoreline Terms territorial sea. The zone extends inland from the shorelines only to the extent necessary to control shorelands, the uses of which have a direct and significant impact on the coastal waters. Excluded from the coastal zone are lands the use of which is by law subject solely to the discretion of or which is held in trust by the Federal Government, its officers, or agents. (Hicks 1984)

Methods used to evaluate the suitability of the sediments in a borrow area for beach nourishment purposes based on the characteristics of the native beach material and / or the profile shape of the constructed beach.

The region of the oceanic bottom that extends outward from the shoreline with an average slope of less than 1:100, to a line where the gradient begins to exceed 1:40.

Same as shoreline. See coast line. (Hicks 1984)

Perpendicular to the shoreline.

A wave and / or tide-generated movement of shallow-water coastal sediments toward or away from the shoreline.

Zones beyond the marginal sea over which a nation exercises certain types of jurisdiction and control without affecting the character of the area as high seas. (Shalowitz 1964)

A long, narrow coastal sandy body, representing a broadened barrier beach that was above high tide and parallel to the shore in prior sea level conditions and is now underwater.

A ridge or mound of loose, wind-blown material, usually sand.

The bulge of sand formed at the seaward mouth of tidal inlets as a result of interaction between tidal currents and waves.

Point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is used as a base for a dependent survey. (Ellis 1978)

The slightly concave slope of the floor of a sea or lake, taken in a vertical plane and extending away from and transverse to the shoreline, being steepest near the shore, and having a gradient such that the amount of sediment deposited by waves and currents is balanced by the amount removed by them; the transverse slope of a graded shoreline. The profile is easily disturbed by strong winds, large waves, and exceptional high tides.

Beach segment that is accretional, often due to a convergence of refracted wave energy or where submerged features dissipate wave energy and result in sediment gains.

The time scale that is available from most broadcast time signals. It differs from International Atomic Time by an integral number of seconds. UTC is maintained within 1 second of UT1 by the introduction of 1second steps (leap seconds) when necessary, normally at the end of December. DUT1, an approximation of the difference UT1 minus UTC, is transmitted in code on broadcast time signals. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

(1) A coastal embayment where there is freshwater input that is influenced by tides. (2) The part of a river that is affected by tides. (3) The region near a river mouth in which the fresh water of the river mixes with the salt water of the sea.

The bulge of sand formed at the landward mouth of tidal inlets as a result of flow expansion.

A line on a chart or map passing through places having the same cotidal hour. (Hicks 1984)

The sum of the sediment transport magnitudes in the dominant and secondary directions. The gross sediment transport does not have a direction or sign.

The tidal datum used on nautical charts for referencing the soundings (depth units). (Shalowitz 1964)

Shoreline segment characterized by erosion rates that are significantly greater than adjacent shoreline segments.

Sediment (sand) moved using water and centrifugal pumps mounted on a barge or large seagoing vessel (hydraulic dredging), usually moving sediment originating from an offshore site.

1) The description and study of seas, lakes, rivers, and other waters. (2) The science of locating aids and dangers to navigation. (3) The description of physical properties of the waters of a region.

Modifications to an existing inlet, usually for purposes of navigation, which may include channel deepening and/or jetty construction. Other reasons for inlet improvement may include positional stabilization and improved flushing of the bay served by the inlet.

A type of stability related to the orientation of the inlet's tidal jet.

The zone between spring high tide and spring low tide.

A long pipe into which water under high pressure is pumped in order to penetrate into unconsolidated sediment.

A level of the sea defined by some phase of the tide, from which water depths and heights of tide are reckoned. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

A reach of the coast that is isolated sedimentologically from adjacent coastal reaches and that features its own sources and sinks. Isolation is typically caused by protruding headlands, submarine canyons, inlets, and some river mouths that prevent littoral sediment from one cell from passing into the next.

In beach terminology, an indefinite zone extending seaward from the shoreline to just beyond the breaker zone.

A sand bar that extends roughly parallel to the shoreline.

For marine applications, a base elevation used as a reference from which to reckon heights or depths. It is called a tidal datum when defined in terms of a certain phase of the tide. Tidal datums are local datums and should not be extended into areas which have differing hydrographic characteristics without substantiating measurements. In order that they may be recovered when needed, such datums are referenced to fixed points known as bench marks. See chart datum. (Hicks 1984)

Parallel to and near the shoreline, alongshore.

A sand ridge or ridges, running roughly parallel to the shoreline and extending along the shore outside the trough, that may be exposed at low tide or may occur below the water level in the offshore.

A wave- and/or tide-generated movement of shallow-water coastal sediments parallel to the shoreline.

Differential GPS is implemented by placing a GPS monitor receiver at a precisely known location. Instead of computing a navigational fix, the monitor determines the range error to every GPS satellite it can track. These ranging errors are then transmitted to local users where they are applied as corrections before computing the navigation result. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Coastlines where wave and tidal forces are typically relatively small due to the climate, the location of the site and / or due to nearshore submerged features that function to reduce incoming wave energy.

A geophysical test to determine the ferrous returns for subsurface materials such as shipwrecks, debris and other anomalies located within a borrow site. Such materials must be located to avoid damage to dredge equipment or to determine the precise location of historic relics, shipwrecks, or other artifacts.

Having a period or cycle of approximately one tidal day. Thus, the tide is said to be diurnal when only one high water and one low water occur during a tidal day, and the tidal current is said to be diurnal when there is a single flood and a single ebb period of a reversing current in the tidal day. A rotary current is diurnal if it changes its direction through all points of the compass once each tidal day. A diurnal constituent is one which has a single period in the constituent day. The symbol for such a constituent is the subscript 1. See stationary wave theory and type of tide. (Hicks 1984)

An area of soft, wet, or periodically inundated land, generally treeless and characterized by grasses.

The period of geologic time that extends from 24 million years to 5 million years before the present.

The difference in height between mean higher high water and mean lower low water. The expression may also be used in its contracted form, diurnal range. (Hicks 1984)

An accumulation of earth, stones, etc. deposited by a glacier, usually in the form of a mound, ridge, or other prominence on the terrain.

A tidal datum midway between mean higher high water and mean lower low water. (Hicks 1984)

In beach terminology, an indefinite zone extending seaward from the shoreline well beyond the breaker zone.

In beach terminology, the zone that extends seaward from the low tide line including the bar and trough topography that commonly extends well beyond the breaker zone.

Sandy area between the mean high tide line and the vegetation line. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

The difference between the sediment transport magnitude in the dominant direction and the transport magnitude in the secondary direction. Sediment transport is usually considered to be positive to the right as an observer looks seaward. The net sediment transport can be positive, negative, or zero.

A generic name for any low ridge of sand formed at some distance from the shore, either submerged or emergent at an angle to the shoreline.

The outline or shape of a body of water as determined by the still-water line, that is, a map.

The morphodynamic changes that take place over time on a particular geographic entity.

The process of adjustment of a beach profile from one shape to one which is in more of an equilibrium condition with the waves and tides. Occurs after placement of nourishment materials at a slope steeper than equilibrium.

Sediment formed by solid fragmental material that originates from the weathering of quartz rocks and comprises most sediment along the Atlantic Coast.

Broad scale field investigation to provide sediment stratagraphy and particle size information to identify prospective candidate sand source and to provide information for the preparation of preliminary project design and cost estimates.

Management of sediment resources based on broad geographic considerations.

Remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance.

(1) Also known as phase lag. Angular retardation of the maximum of a constituent of the observed tide (or tidal current) behind the corresponding maximum of the same constituent of the theoretical equilibrium tide. It may also be defined as the phase difference between a tidal constituent and its equilibrium argument. As referred to the local equilibrium argument, its symbol is k. When referred to the corresponding Greenwich equilibrium argument, it is called the Greenwich epoch that has been modified to adjust to a particular time meridian for convenience in the prediction of tides is represented by g or by k'. The relations between these epochs may be expressed by the following formula:

G = k + pL

g = k' = G - aS / 15

in which L is the longitude of the place and S is the longitude of the time meridian, these being taken as positive for west longitude and negative for east longitude; p is the number of constituent periods in the constituent day and is equal to 0 for all long-period constituents, 1 for diurnal constituents, 2 for semidiurnal constituents, and so forth; and a is the hourly speed of the constituent, all angular measurements being expressed in degrees. (2) As used in tidal datum determination, it is 19-year cycle over which tidal height observations are meaned in order to establish the various datums. As there are periodic and apparent secular trends in sea level, a specific 19-year cycle (the National Tidal Datum Epoch) is selected so that all tidal datum determinations throughout the United States, its territories, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, will have a common reference. See National Tidal Datum Epoch. (Hicks 1984)

Transportation of weathered (decomposed) rock material or soil by natural forces. (Ellis 1978)

An embayment of the coast in which fresh river water entering at its head mixes with the relatively saline ocean water. When tidal action is the dominant mixing agent it is usually termed a tidal estuary. Also, the lower reaches and mouth of a river emptying directly into the sea where tidal mixing takes place. The latter is sometimes called a river estuary. (Hicks 1984)

The highest elevation reached by the sea as recorded by a tide gauge during a given period. The National Ocean Service routinely documents monthly and yearly extreme high waters for its control stations. (Hicks 1984)

The lowest elevation reached by the sea as recorded by a tide gauge during a given period. The National Ocean Service routinely documents monthly and yearly extreme low water for its control stations. (Hicks 1984)

A method of determining high and low water heights, time intervals, and ranges from an arithmetic mean without adjustment to a long-term series through simultaneous observational comparisons. (Hicks 1984)

That part of shore which lies between high and low water mark at ordinary tide.(Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Waters that do not ebb and flow with the tide. The determinative factor is that the water body does not ebb and flow with the tide, not the salt content of the water. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

See tide gauge. (Hicks 1984)

Often used to include both the science which must depend upon determinations of the figure and size of the Earth from direct measurements made on its surface (triangulation, leveling, astronomic and gravity determinations), and t he art which utilizes the scientific determinations in a practical way and is usually termed geodetic surveying or geodetic engineering. (Ellis 1978)

A satellite navigation system intended to provide highly accurate position and velocity information in three dimensions and precise time and time interval on a global basis continuously. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Mean solar time at the Greenwich meridian. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

The line on a chart or map which represents the intersection of the land with the water surface at the elevation of Gulf Coast Low Water Datum. (Hicks 1984)

The mass balance between inputs and outputs of sediment within a defined coastal environment.

Physical attributes of a sediment sample measured by the statisitical variations in particle size, chemical composition, density, moisture content, and color. Sediment is a solid fragmental material that originates from weathering of rocks and is transported or deposited by air, water, or ice, or that accumulates by other natural agents, such as chemical precipitation from solution or secretion by organisms (biological origin), and that forms in layers on the Earth's crust or surface at ordinary temperatures in a loose, unconsolidated form (for example, sand, gravel, silt, mud).

A particle size distribution that represents the overall average of all sediment strata within a borrow site, usually based on multiple sediment grain size distributions weighted accordingly.

The routes along which sediment movement occurs.

Structures that are constructed onshore and parallel to the beach, including seawalls and revetments designed to protect the land and buildings located immediately landward. Shoreparallel structures also include breakwaters and submerged sills located in nearshore waters which act to intercept and reduce the energy of approaching waves.

Structures such as groins and jetties that are constructed perpendicular to the beach and extend out into the water. These types of structures are designed to retard or interrupt the longshore movement of sand and accumulate sand on the beach updrift of the structure.

Measures to retard erosion to protect upland property. Recognized erosion control measures include seawalls, revetments, jetties, groins, breakwaters, and beach nourishment.

Sediment that is composed primarily of fragments of silicate minerals or rock fragments, most commonly quartz.

A period of time (centuries or millennia) during which there is little or no change in sea level

A rise above normal water level on the open coast due to the action of wind stress on the water surface. Storm surge resulting from a hurricane also includes that rise in level due to atmospheric pressure reduction as well as that due to wind stress.

An alluvial deposit, usually triangular or semi-circular, at the mouth of a tidal inlet that accumulates as the result of the combination of wave processes and tidal currents.

Unvegetated sandy or muddy land area that is covered and uncovered by the rise and fall of the tide.

A bar or spit of sand that connects or "ties" an island to the mainland or to another island.

Where sand accumulates in a long and broad bathymetric low between adjacent sand bars or reefs.

Sediment deposited inland of a beach by overwash processes associated with storms where elevated water level and large waves transport sediment across the beach.

Land whose saturation with water is the dominant factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities that live in the soil and on its surface.

A tidal datum midway between mean high water and mean low water. (Shalowitz 1964)

The mathematical process by which the observed tide at a place is analyzed by breaking it down into a number of constituent tides of simple periodic forces, each having a fixed period. In this process, the sun and moon are replaced by a number of hypothetical tide-producing bodies which move in circular orbits around the earth in the plane of the equator. (Shalowitz 1964)

Method of predicting tides and tidal currents by combining the harmonic constituents into a single tide curve. The work is usually performed by electronic digital computer. (Hicks 1984)

The inland or upstream limit of water affected by the tide. For practical application in the tabulation for computation of tidal datums, head of tide is the inland or upstream point where the mean range becomes less than 0.2 foot. Tidal datums (except for mean water level) are not computed beyond head of tide. (Hicks 1984)

The higher of the two high waters of a tidal day where the tide is of the semidiurnal or mixed type. The single high water occurring daily during periods when the tide is diurnal as considered to be higher high water. (Shalowitz 1964)

The higher of the two low waters of a tidal day where the tide is of the semidiurnal or mixed type. (Shalowitz 1964)

Same as high water. (Hicks 1984)

The maximum height reached by a rising tide. This may be due solely to t he periodic tidal forces or it may have superimposed upon it the effects of prevailing meteorological conditions. (Shalowitz 1964)

A generalized term associated with the tidal plane of high water but not with a specific phase of high water-for example, higher high water, lower high water. (Shalowitz 1964)

A line or mark left upon tide flats, beach, or along shore objects indicating the elevation of the intrusion of high water. The mark may be a line of oil or scum on along shore objects, or a more or less continuous deposit of fine shell or debris on the fore shore or berm. This mark is physical evidence of the general height reached by wave run up at recent high waters. It should not be confused with the mean high water line or mean higher high water line. (Hicks 1984)

(also called National Waters, Interior Waters, and Internal Waters) The waters of a country, both tidal and nontidal, that lie landward of the marginal sea, as well as the waters within its land territory, such as rivers and lakes, over which the nation exercises complete sovereignty. Waters landward of the marginal sea are those landward of the low-water mark and those landward of the seaward limits of ports, bays, harbors, and rivers. The seaward limit of a bay is a headland-to-headland line where the bay constitutes inland waters, otherwise it is the low-water mark following the sinuosities of the shore. (Shalowitz 1964)

In beach terminology, the zone of variable width between the shoreface and the seaward limit of the breaker zone. (Ellis 1978)

The zone between the mean higher high water and mean lower low water lines. (Hicks 1984)

A piece of land completely surrounded by water. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Technique for the identification of successive days of the year when monthly notation is not desired. This is especially applicable in computer data processing and acquisition where library indexing is necessary. (Hicks 1984)

Private law as distinguished from jus publicum, or public law. The law regulating the rights of individuals. The right, title, or dominion of a private owner. At common law, title to lands below high water mark was in the King as the sovereign, but the dominion was vested in him as the representative of the people and for their benefit. (Shalowitz 1964)

Public law as distinguished from Jus Privatum or, private law. The right which a sovereign exercises in a public capacity for the benefit of the people, as distinguished from a right exercised in a proprietary capacity. (Shalowitz 1964)

The angular distance between a terrestrial position and the equator measured northward or southward from the equator along a meridian of longitude. (Hicks 1984

A shelf -like projection, on the side of a rock or mountain. A rocky formation continuous with and fringing the shore. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Artificial bank confining a stream channel or limiting adjacent areas subject to flooding; an embankment bordering a submarine canyon or channel, usually occurring along the outer edge of a curve. (Ellis 1978)

Pertaining to the shore, especially of the sea; a coastal region. Used extensively with "riparian."(Shalowitz 1964)

Time in which noon is defined by the transit of the Sun over the local meridian as distinguished from standard time which is based upon the transit of the Sun over a standard meridian. Local time may be either mean or apparent, according to whether reference is to the mean or actual Sun. Local time was in general use in the United States until 1883, when standard time was adopted. The use of local time in other parts of the world has also been practically abandoned in favor of the more convenient standard time. (Hicks 1984)

Angular distance in a great circle of reference reckoned from an accepted origin to the projection of any point on that circle. Longitude on the Earth's surface is measured on the Equator east and west of the meridian of Greenwich and may be expressed either in degrees or in hours, the hour being taken as the equivalent of 15? of longitude. Celestial longitude is measured in the ecliptic eastward from the vernal equinox. The mean longitude of a celestial body moving in an orbit is the longitude that would be attained by a point moving uniformly in the circle of reference at the same average angular velocity as that of the body, with the initial position of the point so taken that its longitude would be the same as that of the body at a certain specified position in its orbit. With a common initial point, the mean longitude of a body will be the same in whatever circle it may be reckoned. (Hicks 1984)

Same as low water. (Hicks 1984)

The minimum height reached by a falling tide. This may be due solely to the periodic tidal forces or it may have superimposed upon it the effects of prevailing meteorological conditions. (Shalowitz 1964)

(1) The geopotential elevation (geopotential difference) for each of the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair and the corresponding sloping surfaces of the St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit, Niagara, and St. Lawrence Rivers to which are referred the depths shown on the navigational charts and the authorized depths for navigation improvement projects. Elevations of these planes are referred to IGLD (1955) and are Lake Superior 600.0 feet, Lakes Michigan and Huron 576.8 feet, Lake St. Clair 571.7 feet, Lake Erie 568.6 feet, and Lake Ontario 242.8 feet. (2) An approximation of mean low water that has been adopted as a standard reference for a limited area and is retained for an indefinite period regardless of the fact that it may differ slightly from a better determination of mean low water from a subsequent series of observations. Used primarily for river and harbor engineering purposes. Boston low water datum is an example. (Hicks 1984)

See lunitidal interval. (Hicks 1984)

A generalized term associated with the tidal plane of low water but not with a specific phase of low water- for example, lower low water, higher low water. (Shalowitz 1964)

The lower of the two high waters of any tidal day where the tide is of the semidiurnal or mixed type. (Shalowitz 1964)

The lower of the two low waters of any tidal day where the tide is of the semidiurnal or mixed type. The single low water occurring daily during periods when the tide is diurnal is considered to be lower low water. (Shalowitz 1964)

An approximation of mean lower low water that has been adopted as a standard reference for a limited area and is retained for an indefinite period regardless of the fact that it may differ slightly from a better determination of mean lower low water from a subsequent series of observations. Used primarily for river and harbor engineering purposes. Columbia River lower low water datum is an example. (Hicks 1984)

The interval between the Moon's transit (upper or lower) over the local or Greenwich meridian and the following high or low water. The average of all high water intervals for all phases of the Moon is known as mean high water lunitidal interval and is abbreviated to high water interval (HWI). Similarly, mean low water lunitidal interval is abbreviated to low water interval (LWI). The interval is described as local or Greenwich according to whether the reference is to the transit over the local or Greenwich meridian. When not otherwise specified, the reference is assumed to be local. When there is considerable diurnal inequality in the tide, separate intervals may be obtained for the higher high waters, lower high waters, higher low waters, and lower low waters. These are designated respectively as higher high water interval (HHWI), lower high water interval (LHWI), higher low water interval (HLWI), and lower low water interval (LLWI). In such cases, and also when the tide is diurnal, it is necessary to distinguish between the upper and lower transit of the Moon with reference to its declination. Intervals referred to the Moon's upper transit at the time of its north declination or the lower transit at the time of south declination are marked a. Intervals referred to the Moon's lower transit at the time of its north declination or to the upper transit at the time of south declination are marked b. (Hicks 1984)

The mean lower low water line (MLLWL) when used as a boundary. Also, lines used as boundaries seaward of and measured from (or points thereon) the MLLWL. See coastal boundary. (Hicks 1984)

A tidal datum. The arithmetic mean of mean higher high water and mean lower low water. (Hicks 1984)

The average height of the high waters over a 19 year period. All high waters are included in the average where the type of tide is either semidiurnal or mixed. Where the type of the tide is predominantly diurnal, only the higher high water heights are included in the average on those days when the tide is semidiurnal.(Shalowitz 1964)

The line on a chart or map which represents the intersection of the land with the water surface at the elevation of mean high water. See shoreline. (Hicks 1984)

The average height of the higher high waters over a 19 year period. (Shalowitz 1964)

The average height of the lower low waters over a 19 year period. The tidal plane used on the Pacific coast as the datum for soundings on the hydrographic surveys and nautical charts of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. (Shalowitz 1964)

The average height of the surface of the sea for all stages of the tide over a 19 year period, usually determined from hourly readings. A determination of mean sea level that has been adopted as a standard for heights is called a sea level datum. The sea level datum now used for the Coast and Geodetic Survey level net is officially known as the Sea Level Datum of 1929, the year referring to the last general adjustment of the net, and is based upon observations taken over a number of years at various tide stations along the coasts of the United States and Canada. (Shalowitz 1962)

Same as half tide level. (Shalowitz 1962)

The mean average of all the low tides (high low tides and low low tides) occurring over a certain period of time, usually 18.6 years (one lunar epoch). (Coastal States Organization 1997)

The line on a chart or map which represents the intersection of the land with the water surface at the elevation of mean lower low water. (Hicks 1984)

The difference in height between mean high water and mean low water. (Hicks 1984)

The line on a chart or map which represents the intersection of the land with the water surface at the elevation of mean water level. (Hicks 1984)

A fixed reference adopted as a standard geodetic datum for elevations determined by leveling. The datum was derived for surveys from a general adjustment of the first-order leveling nets of both the United States and Canada. In the adjustment, mean sea level was held fixed as observed at 21 tide stations in the United States and 5 in Canada. The geodetic datum now in use in the United States is the National Geodetic Vertical Datum. The year indicates the time of the general adjustment. A synonym for Sea-level Datum of 1929. The geodetic datum is fixed and does not take into account the changing stands of sea level. Because there are many variables affecting sea level, and because the geodetic datum represents a best fit over a broad area, the relationship between the geodetic datum and local mean sea level is not consistent from one location to another in either time or space. For this reason, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum should not be confused with mean sea level. (Hicks 1984)

Effective November 28, 1980, the Convention: (1) establishes one uniform, continuous tidal datum system for all marine waters of the United States, its territories, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, for the first time in its history; (2) provides a tidal datum system independent of computations based on type of tide; (3) lowers chart datum from mean low water to mean lower low water along the Atlantic coast of the United States; (4) updates the National Tidal Datum Epoch from 1941 through 1959, to 1960 through 1978; (5) changes the name Gulf Coast Low Water Datum to mean lower low water; (6) introduces the tidal datum of mean higher high water in areas of predominantly diurnal tides; and (7) lowers mean high water in areas of predominantly diurnal tides. See chart datum. (Hicks 1984)

The specific l9-year period adopted by the National Ocean Service as the official time segment over which tide observations are taken and reduced to obtain mean values (e.g., mean lower low water, etc.) for tidal datums. It is necessary for standardization because of periodic and apparent secular trends in sea level. The present National Tidal Datum Epoch is 1960 through 1978. It is reviewed annually for possible revision and must be actively considered for revision every 25 years. (Hicks 1984)

The network of tide and water level stations operated by the National Ocean Service along the marine and Great Lakes coasts and islands of the United States. The NWLON is composed of the primary and secondary control tide stations of the National Ocean Service. Distributed along the coasts of the United States, this Network provides the basic tidal datums for coastal and marine boundaries and for chart datum of the United States. Tide observations at a secondary control tide station or tertiary tide station are reduced to equivalent l9-year tidal datums through the comparison of simultaneous observations with a primary control tide station. In addition to hydrography and nautical charting, and to coastal and marine boundaries, the Network is used for coastal processes and tectonic studies, tsunami and storm surge warnings, and climate monitoring. The National Water Level Observation Network also includes stations operated throughout the Great Lakes Basin. The primary network is composed of 54 sites with 139 seasonal gauge sites selectively operated 4 months annually for the maintenance of IGLD. The network supports regulation, navigation and charting, river and harbor improvement, power generation, various scientific activities, and the adjustment for vertical movement of the Earth's crust in the Great Lakes Basin. (Hicks 1984)

Under federal law, those inland waters which are available for navigation in there natural condition, or which can be made available for navigation by reasonable improvements. (Shalowitz 1962)

The actual navigable capacity of a waterway and not the extent of tidal influence. (Shalowitz 1962)

See neap tides. (Hicks 1984)

A nontechnical term synonymous with tide; i.e., the rise and fall of the ocean due to the gravitational interactions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth alone. Use of this term is discouraged. (Hicks 1984)

A fixed reference for elevations determined by geodetic leveling. The datum was derived from a general adjustment of the first-order terrestrial leveling nets of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the adjustment, only the height of the primary tidal bench mark, referenced to the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985 (IGLD 85) Local mean sea level height value, at Father Point, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada was held fixed, thus providing minimum constraint. NAVD 88 and IGLD 85 are identical. However, NAVD 88 bench mark values are given in Helmert orthometric height units while IGLD 85 values are in dynamic heights. See International Great Lakes Datum of 1985, National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, and geopotential difference. (Hicks 1984)

Same as mean high water line. (Shalowitz 1962)

A term used by the Supreme Court in the submerged lands case in indicate where federal paramount rights begin in the offshore submerged lands, and which the Special Master in the California case was called upon to interpret with respect to the type of tide found along the California coast. The intersection of the tidal plane of mean low water with the shore. (Shalowitz 1962)

The science or art of obtaining reliable measurements from photographs. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

The degree of refinement of a value not to be confused with accuracy, which is the degree of conformance with the correct value. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Lands that appear to be subject to the Public Trust Doctrine in that they lay beneath tidal or navigable-in-fact waters below the ordinary high water mark. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

The bundle of rights held by the public to use and enjoy privately held trust lands for certain public purposes. The burden on the subordinate jus privatum owner by the dominant jus publicum interest of the public. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

The difference in height between consecutive high and low waters. The mean range is the difference in height between mean high water and mean low water. The great diurnal range or diurnal range is the difference in height between mean higher high water and mean lower low water. For other ranges see spring, neap, perigean, apogean, and tropic tides; and tropic ranges. (Hicks 1984)

Pertains to a data collecting system that controls an on-going process and delivers its outputs (or controls its inputs) not later than the time when these are needed for effective control. (Hicks 1984)

Continuing landward movement of the shoreline ; a net landward movement of the shoreline over a specified period. (Ellis 1978)

A processing of observed tide or tidal current data to obtain mean values for tidal or tidal current constants. (Hicks 1984)

A tide or current station for which independent daily predictions are given in the "Tide Tables" and "Tidal Current Tables," and from which corresponding predictions are obtained for subordinate stations by means of differences and ratios. See subordinate tide station (2) and subordinate current station (2). (Hicks 1984)

Associated with or appurtenant to shorelands of non-tidal waters. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

The rights of an owner of land bordering a river or the sea and relates to the water (its use), ownership of the shore, right of ingress and egress, accretions, etc. (Shalowitz 1962)

See estuary. (Hicks 1984)

Height of the surface of the sea at any time. (Ellis 1978)

An obsolete term. See National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 and mean sea level. (Hicks 1984)

A tide station at which continuous observations have been made over a minimum period of 1 year but less than 19 years. The series is reduced by comparison with simultaneous observations from a primary control tide station. This station provides for a 365-day harmonic analysis including the seasonal fluctuation of sea level. See tide station, primary control tide station, tertiary tide station, and subordinate tide station (1). (Hicks 1984)

Having a period or cycle of approximately one-half of a tidal day. The predominant type of tide throughout the world is semi diurnal, with two high waters and two low waters each tidal day. The tidal current is said to be semi diurnal when there are two flood and two ebb periods each day. A semi diurnal constituent has two maxima and two minima each constituent day, and its symbol is the subscript 2. See type of tide. (Hicks 1984)

Intersection of the shore with a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the shoreline. The profile may extend from the top of the dune line to the seaward limit of sand movement; but for shoreline mapping purposes, extends from the berm crest offshore to the mean low water line or mean lower low water line. (Ellis 1978)

General term including tidelands and navigable freshwater shores below the ordinary high water mark. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

The line of contact between the land and a body of water. On Coast and Geodetic Survey nautical charts and surveys the shoreline approximates the mean high water line. In Coast Survey usage the term is considered synonymous with coastline. (Shalowitz 1962)

The state of a tidal current when its speed is near zero, especially the moment when a reversing current changes direction and its speed is zero. The term also is applied to the entire period of low speed near the time of turning of the current when it is too weak to be of any practical importance in navigation. The relation of the time of slack water to the tidal phases varies in different localities. For a perfect standing tidal wave, slack water occurs at the time of high and of low water, while for a perfect progressive tidal wave, slack water occurs midway between high and low water. See slack; ebb begins and slack; flood begins. (Hicks 1984)

The slack water immediately preceding the ebb current. (Hicks 1984)

Difference in height between mean lower high water and mean higher low water. (Hicks 1984)

Same as mean high water springs (MHWS). See spring tides. (Hicks 1984)

Same as mean low water springs (MLWS). See spring tides and mean low water springs. (Hicks 1984)

See spring tides. (Hicks 1984)

Tides of increased range occurring semimonthly as the result of the moon being new of full; that is, when the sun, moon and earth are in a line. Tides during these periods rise higher and fall lower than during the rest of the month. (Shalowitz 1964)

Sometimes called a platform tide. An interval at high or low water when there is no sensible change in the height of the tide. The water level is stationary at high and low water for only an instant, but the change in level near these times is so slow that it is not usually perceptible. In general, the duration of the apparent stand will depend upon the range of tide, being longer for a small range than for a large range, but where there is a tendency for a double tide the stand may last for several hours even with a large range of tide. (Hicks 1984)

A kind of time based upon the transit of the Sun over a certain specified meridian, called the time meridian, and adopted for use over a considerable area. With a few exceptions, standard time is based upon some meridian which differs by a multiple of 15ø from the meridian of Greenwich. The United States first adopted standard time in 1883 on the initiative of the American Railway Association, and at noon on November 18 of that year the telegraphic time signals from the Naval Observatory at Washington were changed to this system. (Hicks 1984)

Lands covered by water at any stage of the tide, as distinguished from tidelands which are attached to the mainland or an island and cover and uncover with the tide. Tidelands presuppose a high water line as the upper boundary, submerged lands do not. (Shalowitz 1962)

(1) A tide station from which a relatively short series of observations is reduced by comparison with simultaneous observations from a tide station with a relatively long series of observations. See tide station, primary control tide station, secondary control tide station, and tertiary tide station. (2) A station listed in the Tide Tables from which predictions are to be obtained by means of differences and ratios applied to the full predictions at a reference station. See reference station. (Hicks 1984)

Any change in the Earth's magnetic field which is a function of time. Also referred to as magnetic temporal variation. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

A tide station at which continuous observations have been made over a minimum period of 30 days but less than 1 year. The series is reduced by comparison with simultaneous observations from a secondary control tide station. This station provides for a 29-day harmonic analysis. See tide station, primary control tide station, secondary control tide station, and subordinate tide station (1). (Hicks 1984)

See estuary. (Hicks 1984)

A devise for measuring the height of tide. A graduated staff in a sheltered area where visual observations can be made; or it may consist of an elaborate recording instrument making a continuous graphic record of tide height against time. Such an instrument is usually actuated by a float in a pipe communicating with the sea through a small hole which filters out shorter waves. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

The practice of dividing a hydrographic survey area into discrete zones or sections, each one possessing similar tidal characteristics. One set of tide reducers is assigned to each zone. Tide reducers are used to adjust the soundings in that zone to chart datum (MLLW). Tidal zoning is necessary in order to correct for differing water level heights occurring throughout the survey area at any given time. Each zone of the survey area is geographically delineated such that the differences in time and range do not exceed certain limits, generally 0.2 hours and 0.2 feet respectively; however, these limits are subject to change depending upon type of survey, location, and tidal characteristics. The tide reducers are derived from the water levels recorded at an appropriate tide station, usually nearby. Tide reducers are used to correct the soundings throughout the hydrographic survey area to a common, uniform, uninterrupted chart datum. See tide reducers. (Hicks 1984)

High-water mark left by tidal water; the highest point reached by high tide; a mark placed to indicate the highest point reached by a high tide, or occasionally, any specified stage of tide (Ellis 1978)

A tide gauge consisting of a vertical graduated staff from which the height of the tide can be read directly. It is called a fixed staff when secured in place so that it cannot be easily removed. A portable staff is one that is designed for removal from the water when not in use. For such a staff a fixed support is provided The support has a metal stop secured to it so that the staff will always have the same elevation when installed for use. See electric tape gauge. (Hicks 1984)

The geographic location at which tidal observations are conducted. Also, the facilities used to make tidal observations. These may include a tide house, tide gauge, tide staff, and tidal bench marks. See primary control tide station, secondary control tide station, tertiary tide station, and subordinate tide station (1). (Hicks 1984)

Tables which give daily predictions of the times and heights of the tide at various reference stations, and tidal differences and constants by which additional predictions can be obtained for numerous other places. (Shalowitz 1962)

The land that is covered and uncovered by the daily rise and fall of the tide. More specifically, it is the zone between the mean high waterline and the mean low water line along coast, and is commonly known as the "shore" or "beach." Referred to in legal decisions as between ordinary high water mark and ordinary low water mark. Tidelands presuppose a high water line as the upper boundary. (Shalowitz 1964)

Waters subject to the rise and fall of the tide. Sometimes used synonymously with tidelands, but would be better to limit tidewaters to areas always covered with water. The amount of tide is immaterial. (Shalowitz 1964)

A classification based on characteristic forms of a tide curve. Qualitatively, when the two high waters and two low waters of each tidal day are approximately equal in height, the tide is said to be semidiurnal; when there is a relatively large diurnal inequality in the high or low waters or both, it is said to be mixed; and when there is only one high water and one low water in each tidal day, it is said to be diurnal. Quantitatively (after Dietrich), where the ratio of K1 + O1 to M2 + S2 is less than 0.25, the tide is classified as semidiurnal; where the ratio is from 0.25 to 1.5, the tide is mixed, mainly semidiurnal; where the ratio is from 1.5 to 3.0, the tide is mixed, mainly diurnal; and where greater than 3.0, diurnal. (Hicks 1984)

Same as Greenwich mean time (GMT). (Hicks 1984)

Land above mean high water mark and subject to private ownership, as distinguished from tidelands, ownership of which is prima facie in the state but also subject to divestment under state statutes. (Shalowitz 1964)

The visible or audible motion of agitated water; especially that caused by the passage of a vessel. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)

Juncture of land and sea. This line fluctuates, changing with the tide or other fluctuations in the water. (Ellis 1978)

Area between the ordinary high tide and the ordinary low tide lines. (Coastal States Organization 1997)

A global geodesic reference system developed by the USA for satellite position fixing and recommended by the IHO for hydrographic and cartographic use. (Hydrographic Dictionary 1990)