3 Present Water-Level 

 Measurement Networks 

 Along the Texas Coast 



This chapter summarizes the status of TCOON water-level 

 measurement and of CESWG water-level measurement as practiced by its 

 field offices and hydrographic survey parties. The status is current to 

 September 1996, with some updates. The summary introduces basic 

 District operational needs as an outcome, which would include the needs 

 of Government contractors. 



TCOON Capabilities 



The TCOON presently consists of approximately 40 water-level 

 stations. On or near the coast, eight NOS gauges serve as long-term 

 control stations. Table Al in Appendix A summarizes the status of the 

 TCOON and NOS tide stations. 



Present Galveston District Field Practice and 

 Identified Needs 



The CESWG tide staffs are presently central to its hydrographic 

 surveys. Examples of two staffs are given in Figures 8 and 9. It is 

 standard procedure to take the survey boat to a tide staff to record water 

 level at the start of the day's survey (typically early morning), mid- 

 morning, noon, mid-afternoon, and when quitting for the day. At the tide 

 staff, the survey boat will check its echo sounder and note the elevation of 

 the water on the staff and the time. In surveys of long channels, during a 



22 Chapter 3 Present Networks Along the Texas Coast 



