Alternative Text Description for Tide Stations (NOAA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of NOAA CO-OPS tide stations throughout Florida and surrounding coastal waters. The map shows point locations where NOAA operates tide monitoring stations that include datum information. These stations are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services network used for measuring water levels and tidal data.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida and extends into adjacent states including southern Alabama, southern Georgia, and a portion of the Florida panhandle. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville on the northeast coast, Orlando in the central interior, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the central west coast, Cape Coral on the southwest coast, and Miami on the southeast coast. The map also shows Tallahassee in the north-central panhandle region, Valdosta in southern Georgia, Albany and Dothan in the north, Gainesville and Palm Coast in north-central Florida, Lakeland in central Florida, Melbourne and Palm Bay on the east coast, Port St. Lucie on the southeast coast, and Coral Springs near the southern tip. The Gulf of America forms the western and northwestern boundary of Florida, while the Atlantic Ocean borders the eastern coast. The Straits of Florida are labeled at the southern extent of the map, indicating the waterway between the Florida Keys and Cuba.

KEY INSIGHTS

NOAA tide stations are distributed along Florida's entire coastline with concentrations in several key areas. The densest clustering of stations occurs along the southwest Gulf of America coast near Tampa and St. Petersburg, where multiple stations are positioned in close proximity. Another notable concentration appears in the northwest panhandle region near the Alabama border. Tide stations are distributed along both the Atlantic and Gulf of America coasts, following the state's extensive shoreline. Additional stations are located offshore in the Straits of Florida south of the mainland and the Florida Keys. The interior of Florida contains no tide stations, as these monitoring locations are positioned exclusively in coastal and offshore marine environments. The spatial distribution suggests comprehensive coverage of Florida's varied coastal geography, including major population centers, remote coastal areas, and offshore waters.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Tide Stations (NOAA)

This layer represents the locations of operational NOAA tide monitoring stations in Florida that include datum information.

Tide Station Locations (red map pin symbols)

Appearance:

Red inverted teardrop-shaped map pins with a pointed bottom, resembling standard location markers.

Distribution:

Stations are distributed continuously along Florida's coastline, with coverage extending from the northwest panhandle along the Gulf of America coast, around the southern tip including the Keys, and northward along the Atlantic coast to the Georgia border. Several stations are also positioned offshore in the waters south of the mainland.

Notable locations:

Spatial patterns:

Stations follow the coastline in a linear pattern with varying density. Clustering occurs in areas with complex coastal geography, major ports, or significant population centers. The distribution maintains relatively consistent spacing along most coastal segments while increasing density in areas of particular monitoring importance. No stations appear in Florida's interior, confirming their exclusive coastal and marine placement.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map focuses exclusively on NOAA tide stations and does not display other types of oceanographic or meteorological monitoring equipment. The stations shown are filtered to include only those with associated datum information, which provides the reference points necessary for measuring tidal variations and water level changes. The map scale shows the entire state of Florida, providing a comprehensive view of the tide station network's geographic coverage. At this scale, individual station details are not visible, but the overall distribution pattern and coastal coverage can be clearly observed.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data was obtained from the NOAA CO-OPS Metadata API (https://api.tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/mdapi/prod/). The source layer is NOAA_TIDE_STATIONS_NOV24.

Definition Query:

This map displays a filtered subset of NOAA tide stations where the SLR (sea level rise) attribute equals 'Y', indicating stations that include datum information relevant for sea level monitoring.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a statewide scale covering all of Florida and portions of neighboring states. This scale is appropriate for understanding the overall network distribution and identifying general regional patterns in station placement.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data represents tide stations as of November 2024, as indicated by the source layer name.

Limitations:

The map shows only NOAA CO-OPS tide stations that meet the specified filtering criteria (SLR = 'Y'). Other tide monitoring stations operated by different agencies or NOAA stations without the required datum information are not displayed. The exact number of stations is difficult to determine due to overlapping symbols in areas of high density. Some coastal detail and precise station positioning may not be apparent at this map scale.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the full geographic area of Florida from the western panhandle border with Alabama to the southern Florida Keys and the Straits of Florida. Coverage extends northward to include southern portions of Georgia and Alabama for geographic context, and eastward to show Florida's full Atlantic coastline. The western extent shows the Gulf of America coastal boundary.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.