TIDAL CURRENT SURVEYS
NOS no longer conducts a widespread measurement of the flow of tidal currents in inland areas due to the growth of other parts of its program and funding limitations. They do measure it in selected areas using USPS members in the Cooperative Charting Program. NOS compares the flow observed by USPS members at predetermined critical locations with the prior records for those locations and determines the amount of change. A major change could lead to further work on their part. This is a good way of determining whether or not their direct intervention is needed.
NOS supplies the equipment needed for the measurements and assigns the critical locations. USPS squadrons supply the boats and personnel needed. If the Earth and Sciences section of NOAA decides some work is needed in an area, this is assigned with the help of the Rear Commander of the National Cooperative Charting Committee through applications by squadrons of a USPS District located in the area.
The tidal current program is currently inactive. NOS has or expects to have better equipment which is not as involved to use. It is not known when it may become active again.
Tidal Current Manual (534 Kb)“Nearest Light” - A program to find a USCG light list number quickly.
