3 Waves 



This chapter presents summaries of the wave data. A discussion of 

 individual major storms is given in Chapter 9 and contains additional wave data 

 for times when wave heights exceeded 2 m at the seaward end of the FRF pier. 

 Appendixes B through E provide more extensive data summaries for each gauge, 

 including height and period distributions, wave direction distributions, persistence 

 tables, and spectra during storms. 



Wave directions (similar to wind directions) at the FRF are seasonally 

 distributed. Waves approach most frequently from north of the pier in the fall and 

 winter and south of the pier in the summer, with the exception of storm waves that 

 approach twice as frequently from north of the pier. Annually, waves are 

 approximately evenly distributed between north and south (resultant wave direc- 

 tion being almost shore-normal). 



Measurement Instruments 



The wave gauges included one wave staff gauge (Gauge 625), one buoy 

 gauge (Gauge 630), and two pressure gauges (Gauges 1 1 1 and 641) as shown in 

 Figure 2. Staff gauge 645 failed in May 1992 and was replaced by 

 pressiure gauge 641 at the same location. The gauges were located as follows: 



Distance Offshore Uater Depth Operational 



Gauge Type/Number from Baseline m Period 



Continuous wire (645) 238 m 3.5 11/84-05/92 



Pressure Gauge (641) 238 m 3.5 11/92-12/95 



Continuous wire (625) 567 m 8 11/78-12/95 



Acceleroneter buoy (630) 6 km 18 11/78-12/95 



Staff gauges 



One Baylor Company (Houston, TX) parallel cable inductance wave 

 gauge (Gauge 625 at sta 18+60 (Figure 2)) was mounted on the FRF pier. 

 Rugged and reliable, this gauge requires little maintenance except to keep tension 



Chapter 3 Waves 



19 



