2 Instrumentation and Procedures 



The long-term comprehensive monitoring program consisted of multiple gauge sites 

 to collect data on wave height, wave period, wave direction, water level, current 

 velocity, and wind velocity. Additional data were provided through bathymetry 

 surveys, sediment sample collection, and inlet monitoring with video imagery and 

 aerial photography. 



Instrument Locations 



Figure 3 shows the locations of data collection gauges at Ponce de Leon Inlet. 

 Wave gauges were at Sites A, B, and C; and current meters were at Sites B and C. 

 Site A was north of the inlet in about 15 m of water in a region where the bathymetric 

 contours are relatively straight and parallel to shore. This site was intended to 

 measure the incident wave conditions. Site B was centered on the seaward face of the 

 ebb shoal in about 7 m of water. Site C was in the outer inlet throat at about the 5-m 

 depth. A stilling well water level gauge was at the Coast Guard Station at Site D. 

 Pressure type water level gauges were at Sites E, F, and G. The wave gauges at Sites 

 A, B, and C were also used to obtain water levels. Wind speed and direction, air 

 temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure were measured at the 

 meteorological station operated by the Battelle Institute at Site H. The data acquisition 

 electronics were housed in a trailer located at Site J, which also had a barometer. The 

 coordinates of these locations are given in Table 1 . 



Data Collection System 



Data from the wave, water level, and current gauges were collected continuously (in 

 real-time mode) and transmitted to WES in Vicksburg, MS, via the Internet for daily 

 processing. Data from the ebb shoal and inlet throat pods, Sites B and C, were cabled 

 directly to the data collection trailer (Site J). The north pod (Site A) was cabled to 

 shore at the Battelle site (Site H). These data were sent to the data trailer via telephone 

 line. The data from the pressure tide gauges at Sites E, F, and G were also transmitted 

 to the data trailer via telephone line. Data from the tide gauge at the Coast Guard 

 station (Site D) were radioed to the data trailer. The Ethernet network in the data 

 trailer was connected to the Internet via a leased line to SAJ. The meteorological data 

 from the Battelle site were separately transmitted to WES via telephone line. 



Chapter 2 Instrumentation and Procedures 



