Alternative Text Description for Tide Stations (NOAA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of NOAA CO-OPS tide stations across the state of Florida and surrounding coastal waters. The map shows the distribution of monitoring stations that collect tide and water level data along Florida's extensive coastline, including the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of America, and southern waters. These stations are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's coastal observation network used for measuring tidal datums and sea level conditions.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida and its surrounding waters, extending from the Florida Panhandle in the northwest to the Florida Keys in the south. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville on the northeast Atlantic coast, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa and St. Petersburg on the central Gulf of America coast, Cape Coral on the southwest coast, and Miami in the southeast. The map also shows portions of neighboring states including Alabama and Georgia to the north, and extends into the Straits of Florida to the south. The Gulf of America occupies the western portion of the map, while the Atlantic Ocean borders the eastern coast.

KEY INSIGHTS

Tide stations are distributed around Florida's entire coastline, with notable concentrations along both the Gulf of America and Atlantic coasts. The distribution shows relatively even spacing of monitoring stations along the coastal perimeter, reflecting comprehensive coverage of Florida's coastal waters. Stations are positioned at strategic locations including major urban centers, harbors, and key coastal points. The Florida Panhandle, both the Atlantic and Gulf of America coasts, and the southern tip of Florida including the Keys all contain multiple monitoring stations, indicating the importance of water level monitoring throughout the state's diverse coastal environments.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Tide Stations (NOAA)

This layer represents the locations of operational NOAA tide monitoring stations that are part of the sea level rise monitoring network in Florida.

Tide Station Locations (red pin symbols)

Appearance:

Red inverted teardrop-shaped pin markers

Distribution:

Stations are distributed along Florida's entire coastline, including the Gulf of America shoreline, Atlantic coast, and the Florida Keys

Notable locations:

Spatial patterns:

Stations follow the coastline in a relatively even distribution, appearing at intervals along both the Gulf of America and Atlantic shores. Clustering occurs in areas with complex coastlines such as Tampa Bay, the Florida Panhandle, and the Florida Keys. The spacing suggests strategic placement to capture regional variations in tidal conditions and sea level across Florida's diverse coastal geography.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map focuses specifically on tide stations that have been designated for sea level rise monitoring purposes, as indicated by the filtering criteria applied to the dataset. The stations shown are operational facilities that collect continuous water level measurements and associated tidal datum information. These stations provide critical data for understanding long-term sea level trends, supporting navigation, coastal planning, and climate change research. The even distribution of stations reflects the need for comprehensive monitoring along Florida's extensive and varied coastline, which includes barrier islands, estuaries, bays, and open ocean environments.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data originates from the NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) Metadata API. The stations represent real-world monitoring installations operated by NOAA that continuously measure water levels and tidal conditions along Florida's coast.

Data source layer name: NOAA_TIDE_STATIONS_NOV24.

Definition Query:

The map displays a filtered subset of NOAA tide stations. Only stations where the sea level rise monitoring designation (SLR) equals 'Y' are shown, meaning the map specifically highlights stations that are part of NOAA's sea level rise observation network rather than all available tide stations.

Scale Information:

The map shows a statewide view of Florida, presenting a regional perspective appropriate for understanding the overall distribution and coverage of the tide station network across the state.

Coordinate System:

NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The dataset reflects tide station metadata as of November 2024.

Limitations:

The map shows only those stations actively designated for sea level rise monitoring and may not include all NOAA tide stations or water level monitoring facilities in Florida. The exact operational status, data availability, and specific instrumentation at each station are not represented on this map.

Map Coverage:

The map extent includes the entire state of Florida from the Panhandle to the Keys, portions of neighboring states (Alabama and Georgia), and surrounding waters including the Gulf of America to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Straits of Florida to the south.

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