Water Level Results 



Water level data were collected at 6-min intervals at seven sites in the region of 

 Ponce de Leon Inlet. Two sites, offshore (DWG1INT1) and ebb shoal (DWG1EBB1), 

 were located in the coastal ocean; one site was located in the outer throat of the inlet 

 (DWG10TH1); and four sites, river north (SPRSBAY1), river west (SPRSBAY2), river 

 south (SPRSBAY3), and Coast Guard station (VITLBAY3), were located in the back bay 

 (see Figure 3 and Table 1). The regional coverage provides information on the tide wave 

 and storm surge as they propagate through the inlet and into the back-bay channels. The 

 data coverage also allows for hydrodynamic model calibration in the vicinity of the inlet. 

 These data are plotted in Figures 41-53. 



Figures 41-43 show the water levels offshore, at the ebb shoal, and at the inlet throat 

 for the time period 7-19 March 1996 (Julian days 67-79). A storm passed through the 

 study site during this time and elevated the water level for approximately 3 days (Julian 

 days 71-73). The increase in coastal ocean water level was approximately 0.3 m. In the 

 back bay, the superelevation was approximately twice that amount at 0.6 - 0.7 m 

 (Figures 44-47). 



The storm that passed through the study area on 12 July 1996 (Julian Day 194) 

 elevated the ocean water level by approximately 0.3 m (Figures 48-50), whereas in the 

 back bay the water rose approximately 0.4 m above the pre-storm water level (Figures 51- 

 53). The July/August data also provide information on the variation of the tidal range over 

 a spring-neap cycle. During the neap tide, the tidal range is approximately 0.7 m, whereas 

 during the spring tide, the tidal range is approximately 1.3 m. The monthly variation in 

 water level is expected to induce corresponding changes in current velocity in the inlet 

 throat. 



Chapter 3 Example Results and Discussion 37 



