Visayas State University

College of Engineering
Department of Geodetic Engineering
VSU, Baybay City 6521, Leyte, Philippines
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Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific
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GEng 147- Hydrography

Name: Ma. Emmaliza S. Orillano Date Performed: October 28, 2018

Lab Schedule: Thursday 1:00-4:00 Date Submitted:
Group No. 2

Tidal Datum Observation

Laboratory Exercise No. 4

I. Introduction

A datum is a base elevation used as a reference from which to reckon heights or depths. A tidal
datum is a standard elevation defined by a certain phase of the tide. Tidal datums are used as references
to measure local water levels and should not be extended into areas having differing oceanographic
characteristics without substantiating measurements. In order that they may be recovered when needed,
such datums are referenced to fixed points known as bench marks. Tidal datums are also the basis for
establishing privately owned land, state owned land, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and high
seas boundaries. It is important to remember that tidal datum are local datums, and they vary from
location to location along the coasts. Tidal Datum impact coastal engineering, dredging, navigation and
law.

II. Learning Outcomes

To establish tidal datum and determine the tidal datum reading of a certain area.

III. Instruments and Accessories

 1. Theodolite or Total station
2. Range poles
3. Hubs or pegs
4. Levelling rod

IV. Procedure

1. Establish two control points (vertical and horizontal) each to be established near the mouth
of the river, make sure that the control points are inter-visible, accessible by any means and
is secured from any forms of destruction.
2. Establish the tidal gauge/level rod at the intersection of the river and the sea. The station
must be fixed and inter-visible from the control point. It should be set-up in a location
where the gauge of the rod can still be read easily.
3. Set-up the theodolite/total station over the control point.
4. Orient the measurement by back-sighting to the other established control point.
5. Read and record the horizontal reading of the tidal station.
6. Observe and record the vertical readings of the sea level. The observation must be made
every 15 minutes for 72 hours.
7. Always check the horizontal reading if it is still the same to avoid erroneous result.
8. Compare your readings and compute the Mean High Water of the station using Height
Difference Method

𝑀𝐻𝑊𝑃 = 𝐻𝑊𝑃 − (𝐻𝑊𝐶 − 𝑀𝐻𝑊𝐶 )

Where 𝑀𝐻𝑊𝑃 computed mean high water at subordinate tide station; 𝐻𝑊𝑃 the observed high
water at subordinate tide station; 𝐻𝑊𝐶 observed high water at the control tide station; and 𝑐 𝐻𝑊𝐶 𝑃𝑈𝐵𝐿
is the published (NOS) mean high water at control tide station. Use the Ormoc Tide Station as the
control station (https://www.tideforecast.com/locations/Ormoc/tides/latest). For this exercise, compute
the average high water mark of Ormoc for the whole month of October and use it as the Mean High
Water Mark of the control station 𝑀𝐻𝑊𝐶

V. Results and Discussions

The table below shows the different height of tides observed at 15 minutes’ time interval near the
intersection of the VSU Calbiga-a river where the other group is positioned.
 TIME HOR.
(AM-PM) READING ROD READINGS(in meters)
1st 2nd 3rd Mean
9:50 150-45-30 0.39 0.4 0.42 0.40333
10:05 150-45-31 0.47 0.49 0.47 0.47667
10:20 150-45-32 0.54 0.56 0.56 0.55333
10:35 150-45-33 0.65 0.66 0.66 0.65667
10:50 150-45-34 0.73 0.74 0.74 0.73667
11:05 150-45-35 0.77 0.78 0.77 0.77333
11:20 150-45-36 0.87 0.87 0.88 0.87333
11:35 150-45-37 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96
11:50 150-45-38 1.02 1.01 1.01 1.01333
12:05 150-45-39 1.08 1.1 1.08 1.08667
12:20 150-45-40 1.15 1.14 1.15 1.14667
12:35 150-45-41 1.22 1.24 1.23 1.23
12:50 150-45-42 1.25 1.24 1.25 1.24667
1:05 150-45-43 1.26 1.27 1.26 1.26333
1:20 150-45-44 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29
1:35 150-45-45 1.3 1.3 1.31 1.30333
1:50 150-45-46 1.31 1.32 1.32 1.31667
2:05 150-45-47 1.34 1.35 1.34 1.34333
2:20 150-45-48 1.36 1.37 1.36 1.36333
2:35 150-45-49 1.38 1.37 1.37 1.37333
2:50 150-45-50 1.27 1.3 1.27 1.28
3:05 150-45-51 1.16 1.16 1.17 1.16333
3:20 150-45-52 1.14 1.14 1.14 1.14
3:35 150-45-53 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12
3:50 150-45-54 0.97 0.98 1 0.98333
4:05 150-45-55 0.9 0.9 0.91 0.90333
4:20 150-45-56 0.88 0.86 0.865 0.86833
4:35 150-45-57 0.78 0.79 0.78 0.78333
4:50 150-45-58 0.76 0.75 0.75 0.75333
5:05 150-45-59 0.74 0.73 0.74 0.73667
 (Tabe 1. Results of the tidal observation at 15 minutes’ time interval)

VI. Conclusion
Therefore, For navigation purposes, tidal datum instead of the mean sea level datum is used.
The tidal datum is the level of the water surface below which the tide rarely falls. It is also
known as the mean low water spring datum (M.L.W.O.S.T.) or the chart datum. Tidal datum was
observed and is more convenient than the mean sea level datum because negative values of
elevations are avoided.

VII. Reference(s)

La Putt, Juny Pilapil, Higher Surveying: 2nd Edition, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, 1990.

Wikipedia