Contents 



Preface viii 



Conversion Factors, Non-SI to SI Units of Measurement x 



1 -Introduction 1 



Background for the Needs Assessment 1 



Cost-Sharing Partners and the Needs Assessment 6 



Objectives 7 



Scope of this Report 8 



2- Water Level Definition, Measurement, and Properties..... 9 



Historical Setting 9 



Water Level and Tidal Datums 10 



Basic concepts of tides and tide measurement 11 



Tide gauge and tide station 12 



Zoning 13 



Character of the Tide Along the Texas Coast 13 



3 -Present Water-Level Measurement Networks Along the 

 Texas Coast 22 



TCOON Capabilities 22 



Present Galveston District Field Practice and Identified Needs 22 



Locations of Galveston District Tide Staffs 26 



MLT and NGVD Difference 27 



4-Communications Alternatives 28 



Real-Time Reporting 28 



Recommendations and Costs 29 



Centralized PC System 30 



Access to Archived Data 31 



