NOAA Rivers south

All U Get

All U Get

.
Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Hi all,

I'm looking for some info on how NOAA compares high water and flood stage. We're currently in Great Bridge, Va. heading south on the AICW and have a report that the fixed bridges are showing 64 feet. I would just like to compare that to NOAA' s river monitor web site showing a level of flood stage. What do they consider flood? Is it the same as mean high water spring? Several sailboats here have 64 foot masts. One that headed south was creeping under a bridge but hit when another boat sped by creating a wake.
A SUV with NOAA logo on the door drove by yesterday while we were at the locks, but I couldn't get his attention.

All U Get
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
It is my understanding that the ICW bridge markers are measured from Mean High Water (MHW) which is the average of all the high water heights observed over a period of several years. For example, in the United States this period spans 19 years and is referred to as the National Tidal Datum Epoch, or the highest tide of the year.
I do not understand why anyone with a 64' mast would even try to do the ditch. No way I'd risk my spar when I can sail, not motor, wherever I want on the outside.
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
All U Get said:
:biggrin:

Mentally challenged.

All U Get
Click to expand
Come on now. You've got a great boat and she'll literally take anything Neptune might throw at her.
Have faith in her. These boats just love putting their nose into it and strutting their stuff. Ease up on the reins and give her a chance; she'll surprise you.
 
All U Get

All U Get

.
Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Well here's what I found. We went under the Wickerson Bridge that the tide board read 64.5 feet. The NOAA river guage five miles away at Bellhaven, NC read about 0 on their flood stage. It had been nearly 1 yesterday and boats claimed the bridge read only 64 feet. We had similar readings in Va with the North River Landing the day before with NOAA's 0 flood stage being close to the full 65 feet under the bridges.
Need more hard data.
All U Get
 
All U Get

All U Get

.
Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
We stayed in Dowry Creek Marina and the wind was from the north 10-15. The pilings had 8" of barnacles showing at dawn and by noon they were under water. The NOAA rivers web-site showed a rebound from zero to nearly 1 foot of high water during that time. (Same for our depth gauge.) Hope this helps someone with a tall mast decide how to get under the Wickerson Bridge. I did hear that you can get your boat tipped for a nice sum by the locals in Belhaven.

All U Get
 
J

JohnShannon

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Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
can you just moor prior to the bridge, get out with your 64' lead line go on top of the bridge and see?
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
My wife got me a really good laser measuring device (Bosch GLR225).
That might be just the ticket for this problem?
 
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