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Technical Report CHL-98-14 
May 1998 


US Army Corps 
of Engineers 
Waterways Experiment 
Station 


Annual Data Summary for 1995 
CHL Field Research Facility 


Volume |: Main Text and Appendixes A and B 


by Michael W. Leffler, Clifford F. Baron, Brian L. Scarborough, 
Paul R. Hodges, C. Ray Townsend 


Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited 


TA 

oO 
wat 
No. CHL- 
Asi 
Ni 


Prepared for Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 


The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, 
publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names 
does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use 
of such commercial products. 


The findings of this report are not to be construed as an 
official Department of the Army position, unless so desig- 
nated by other authorized documents. 


GB) eanres ON RECYCLED PAPER 


Technical Report CHL-98-14 
May 1998 


Annual Data Summary for 1995 
CHL Field Research Facility 


Volume |: Main Text and Appendixes A and B 


by Michael W. Leffler, Clifford F. Baron, Brian L. Scarborough, 
Paul R. Hodges, C. Ray Townsend 


U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
Waterways Experiment Station 
3909 Halls Ferry Road 
Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 


HOMO ML 


Final report 
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited 


Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
Washington, DC 20314-1000 


sae 


US Army Corps 
of Engineers 
Waterways Experiment 
Station 


FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE 

U.S. ARMY ENGINEER 

WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION 
3909 HALLS FERRY ROAD 
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPP! 39180-6199 
PHONE: (601) 634-2502 


AREA OF SESERVATION : 2.7 sgkm 


Waterways Experiment Station Cataloging-in-Publication Data 


Annual data summary for 1995 : CHL Field Research Facility / by Michael W. Leffler ... [et 
al.] ; prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

2 v. : ill. ; 28 cm. — (Technical report ; CHL-98-14) 

Includes bibliographic references. 

v. 1. Main text and appendixes A and B—v. 2. Appendixes C through E. 

1. Ocean waves — North Carolina — Duck — Statistics. 2. Water waves — North Carolina 
— Duck — Statistics. 3. Oceanographic research stations — North Carolina — Duck 
—Statistics. 4. Oceanography — North Carolina — Duck — Statistics. |. Leffler, Michael 
W. Il. United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Ill. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways 
Experiment Station. IV. Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways 
Experiment Station) V. Title: CHL Field Research Facility annual data summary for 1995. 
VI. Series: Technical report (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station) ; 
CHL-98-14. 

TA7 W34 no.CHL-98-14 


Contents 


Page 

Pe FAC Cape sarah eae Fete ayy ara Hn we Pa A CP nc OER SG ay vi 
TINE OMUCTLOM es i eset er OR eae A CO eae ret ale. cere EY Tac 1 
Backoroundin 09 sss: cc aioe spel Chie et aaa a me bouaas cma) s 1 
@rganizationOfREPOrta ere een rein 2 
Availabilityiot Data een iene eee eee emacs ane 3 

PAIN KATOOOEAY Gang a ath ice. Erolo Bd 6 Gyeneo alone olene)comvanitd cinta 5 
J Ake 5 bo goood ogo baogooouewcoudagooNN 6 
/ATMOSPHETICELCSSUTC aan mene nee aeons are) ee 7 
Precipitationenmas scree pte ase tetra Rete asti tue fieil as: Sear an 9 
WindsSpeedand | Directionarrey eee ik eer 9 

BS WAV ES Here hci ttt c Gs an en Manca awe merc NEES Ak Ly acca lca ae te 19 
Measurement Instruments ...............------+-+-- 19 
Digital Data Analysis and Summarization..............- 21 
IRESULES eae Rune a era reset Ly metic, Little zee id tear 22 

A (SUTTE TICS aie yay Ty ete SCENE ea Se, Tevet INTRA ls ira metal onan aes eres 35 
PSE RV atoms nce ce aire teenie el eae NG uaet ene men 35 

IRE SUILES Aastra te ska: taper Ueda a5 10 tg cute, ce aibale ema e a ah orks 35 
5—Tidessand!Wiaterevelsi ss 5 ac cei e vcs ool ose Sueatet ease seouceens 38 
Measurement Instrument ...............--.--.-.---- 38 
REStITEST Naar ra ce ener trite one wert atiiees CLAS REEL ANE ANG Unautay ho ser ey fe 39 
6—Wiater ChanacteniSticSaaaeaei eee naan naan nen nner rer 42 
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23-29 January ilOOS eae ae ence lesen: 
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DEIAUSUSERIOO Dis 22) Geren aie oe ey ne Raa Tals me gue Glia ame 
1OFSeptember O95 teres ase ee eae ey cenit wele 
23eSeptem ber 995) aae incre ia ieee a ee 
29230) Septembersl O95 ane acre at ety eo isn er en a 


IREFETENCES ened sree eee coats ovement sais) eee crap emer eee 
Ap pendixeAcE SULV cys atau y arin lemen ten ea ee an ea eI 
AppendixgB -aawave mata tom Gauge.O30 00) freien cie reer 


Delhy Jel eWel Wo cobb cosde ab eewdoccobatend buss 
Joint Distributionsyof wipe vand) Tye nes ene crs ieee 
Cumulative Distributions of Wave Height .............. 
Peak Spectral Wave Period Distributions ............... 
Persistence of Wave Heights ...................-.--.- 
SPECt a rarcr tere acne etre ae cil aroatey sore emtel erteteeie Rome Ricaae aa 


Appendixa€:. Wave DatastomGaures Gi ma. mnie 


DENI? Jel fil Jo oo oko snus eacoseanososoonDoses 
Joint, Distributions ote and yee yrs ert cerry eye 
Cumulative Distributions of Wave Height .............. 
Peak Spectral Wave Period Distributions ............... 
Persistence of Wave Heights .............---.-++---- 
Spectra: ose n ete crecnens Cee eet enna ened cased geen la 


1 A limited number of copies of Appendixes C-E (Volume II) were published under separate 
cover. Copies are available from National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal 
Road, Springfield, VA 22161. 


Appendix) Ds WaveyD ata for Gauge 625i) 4-) ae es eae D1 


Db atl yap Ed yarn Tool.) opus suis iG tees epee ake tae ae Ne D1 
Joint Distributions of He. and is veer een D1 
Cumulative Distributions of Wave Height .............. D1 
Peak Spectral Wave Period Distributions ............... D2 
JHEPINENES OWEN ISON 258 6cgcabocodecegocabous D2 
SPE Cli ah se res 2 arcs eta OeUee oAlee ral ae mae pes erg eae e D2 
AppendixgE = Wave Datalfor Gaugelo4l Cannery eeu El 
Daily re and 8 rai. yaucbestis act ty cos ae epee we is ecnicde Sel E1 
Joint Distributions iol ein .an delay lie eerie El 
Cumulative Distributions of Wave Height .............. El 
Peak Spectral Wave Period Distributions ............... E2 
RersistenceOfaWiaveyELe1onits serie a nea aire E2 
SS) BLLELIIE: Vern gn eh BPO ae erm inter se Ad Vda 8 91 a) te al ma E2 


SF 298 


Preface 


This report is the 17th in a series of annual data summaries authorized by Headquarters, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers (HQUSACE), under the Civil Works Research and Development Program, 
Work Unit 32525, "Field Research Facility Analysis." Funds were provided through the U.S. Army 
Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), under the 
program management of Ms. Carolyn M. Holmes. The HQUSACE Technical Monitors were Messrs. 
John H. Lockhart, Jr., Charles Chesnutt, and Barry W. Holliday. 


Data for the report were collected and analyzed at the WES/CHL Field Research Facility 
(FRF) in Duck, NC. The report was prepared by Mr. Michael W. Leffler, FRF, under the direct 
supervision of Mr. William A. Birkemeier, Chief, FRF Group, Engineering Development Division 
(EDD), and Mr. Thomas W. Richardson, Chief, EDD; and under the general supervision of Dr. James 
R. Houston and Mr. Charles C. Calhoun, Jr., Director and Assistant Director, CHL, respectively. 
Messrs. Kent K. Hathaway and Paul Hodges assisted with instrumentation. Messrs. Brian L. Scar- 
borough and C. Raymond Townsend, FRF, with Messrs. Christopher Goshow and Kevin M. Kremkau 
assisted with data collection. Mr. Clifford F. Baron assisted with data analysis. The National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration/National Ocean Service maintained the tide gauge and provided 
statistics for summarization. 


At the time of publication of this report, Director of WES was Dr. Robert W. Whalin. 
Commander was COL Robin R. Cababa, EN. 


The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication 
or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an 
Official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. 


1 Introduction 


Background 


The U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Coastal and 
Hydraulics Laboratory’s' (CHL), Field Research Facility (FRF), located on 
0.7 km? at Duck, NC (Figure 1), consists of a 561-m-long research pier and 
accompanying office and field support buildings. The FRF is located near 
the middle of Currituck Spit along a 100-km unbroken stretch of shoreline 
extending south of Rudee Inlet, VA, to Oregon Inlet, NC. The FRF is 
bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Currituck Sound to the 
west. The facility is designed to (a) provide a rigid platform from which 
waves, currents, water levels, and bottom elevations can be measured, 
especially during severe storms; (b) provide CHL with field experience and 
data to complement laboratory and analytical studies and numerical models; 
(c) provide a manned field facility for testing new instrumentation; and 
(d) serve as a permanent field base of operations for physical and biological 
studies of the site and adjacent region. 


The research pier is a reinforced concrete structure supported on 
0.9-m-diam steel piles spaced 12.2 m apart along the pier's length and 
4.6 m apart across the width. The piles are embedded approximately 20 m 
below the ocean bottom. The pier deck is 6.1 m wide and extends from 
behind the duneline to about the 6-m water depth contour at a height of 
7.8 m above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). The pilings 
are protected against sand abrasion by concrete erosion collars and against 
corrosion by a cathodic system. 


An FRF Measurements and Analysis Program has been established to 
collect basic oceanographic and meteorological data at the site, reduce and 
analyze these data, and publish the results. 


; Formerly the Coastal Engineering Research Center 


Chapter 1 Introduction 


This report, which summarizes data for 1995, continues a series of 
reports begun in 1977. 


S ATLANTIC OCEAN 


Figure 1. FRF location map 


Organization of Report 


This report is organized into nine chapters and five appendixes. 
Chapter 1 is an introduction; Chapters 2 through 8 discuss the various data 
collected during the year; and Chapter 9 describes the storms that oc- 
curred. Appendix A presents the bathymetric surveys, Appendix B 
summarizes deepwater wave statistics, and Appendixes C through E 
(published under separate cover as Volume II) contain summary statistics 
for other gauges. 


In each chapter of this report, the respective instruments used for 
monitoring the meteorological or oceanographic conditions are briefly 


Chapter 1 Introduction 


described, along with data collection and analysis procedures and data 
results. The instruments were interfaced with the primary data acquisition 
system, a Digital Equipment Corporation (Maynard, MA) VAX-11/750 
minicomputer until June 1994 when it was replaced with a Digital 
Equipment Corporation VAXstation 4000 located in the FRF laboratory 
building. More detailed explanations of the design and the operation of the 
instruments may be found in Miller (1980). Readers' comments on the 
format and usefulness of the data presented are encouraged. 


Availability of Data 


Table 1 summarizes the available data. In addition to the wave data 
summaries in the main text, more extensive summaries for each of the wave 
gauges are provided in Appendixes B through E. 


Table 1 
1995 Data Availability 


Gauge Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 


Anemometer 932 * * * % # Ok Rk Ok kOe kk ke ek ek ee ke ek ke ek ke ke kkk kek kok koe ee ek 
Atm Pres. 616 * * * % % eke kk RRR ek kk ee ek eke ek kk ke eee kk kk eke ee ek ek 
Air Terp 624 8 ek Re RR ke eek ok eee ek kek eke ke kkk ke oe ok ee ee 
Precip. 604 ee ee ee ke ek kak ee ee ake ok ae ok ee ek eek ede eae eke eek ee eee ek 


Waves 
Waverider GOR RR KKK RRR RRR RR ee ee eR ek 7 ke Pk RRR RR RR Ke 


&m Press. WERE RRR RRR KKK KR RR RR Re ee ee ke ek ke ek ek ew kk kk ek ke 
EOP Press. 625 * ERR KKK KKK KK KAKA RRR RR RR eR RR RR RR RR RR RR KK RR 
Pier Nshre 641 * * *¥ # ¥ kk wR eR kk RR RR ee ek kk ek ee kk kk ek ke ek ke ke kk kk kk kk kk ee 


Currents 
Pier End KERR KKEKEKEKEKEKE KKK KKE KKK KKK KKK KK KKK KKK KKK KAEKKEK KKK KKK KK KEK 


Pier Nrshre KEK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KEKE KKK KEK KKK KEKEK KKK KKK KKK KEK KEKE EE 
Beach keke keke keke KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KK KEK 


EOP Tide Gage * *** #4 eee kee RAR RR RR RR RR Re ee RE Re KX K 


Water Characteristics 
Temperature Re KEKE KK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KEK KKK KKK KEKE KEK 


Visibility kkk KEK KKK KK KKK KKK KKK KK KKK KKK KK KKK KKK KKK KKK KK KEK KE KK 
Density KKK KEKKEKKAKAKRKKKKKR KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK Kh kkk KK kK Ke 


Bathymetry * * * * * * 


Photography 
Beach 


Aerial 


kek KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK 
* 


Notes: * Full week of data obtained. 
/ Less than 7 days of data obtained. 
- No data obtained. 


Chapter 1 Introduction 


The annual data summary herein summarizes daily observations by 
month and year to provide basic data for analysis by users. Daily measure- 
ments and observations have already been reported in a series of monthly 
Preliminary Data Summaries (FRF 1995). If individual data for the present 
year are needed, the user can obtain detailed information (as well as the 
monthly and previous annual reports) from the following address: 


USAE Waterways Experiment Station 
Field Research Facility 

1261 Duck Rd. 

Kitty Hawk, NC 27949-4472 


Much of this data is now also available via the World Wide Web at: 
http://www.frf.usace.army.mil 


Although the data collected at the FRF are designed primarily to 
support ongoing CHL research, use of the data by others is encouraged. 
Tidal data other than the summaries in this report can be obtained directly 
from the following address: 


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
National Ocean Service 

ATTN: Tide Analysis Branch 

Rockville, MD 20852 


A complete explanation of the exact data desired for specific dates 
and times will expedite filling any request; an explanation of how the data 
will be used will help CHL or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA)/National Ocean Service (NOS) determine whether 
other relevant data are available. For information regarding the availability 
of data for all years, contact the FRF at (252) 261-3511. Costs for 
collecting, copying, and mailing will be borne by the requester. 


Chapter 1 Introduction 


2 Meteorology 


This chapter summarizes the meteorological measurements made during 
the current year and in combination with all previous years. Meteorological 
measurements during storms are given in Chapter 9. 


Mean air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed and direction 
were computed for each data file, which consisted of data sampled two times per 
second for 34 min every 6 hr beginning at or about 0100, 0700, 1300, and 1900 hr 
eastern standard time (EST); these hours correspond to the time that the National 
Weather Service (NWS) creates daily synoptic weather maps. During storms, 
data recordings were made more frequently. Meteorological data are summarized 
in Table 2. 


Table 2 
Meteorological Statistics 


Mean Mean Wind Resultants 
Air Temperature Atmospheric Pres. Precipitation, mm 1995 1980-1995 

deg C Mb 1995 1978-1995 Speed Direction Speed Direction 
Month 1995 19835-1995 _ 1995 1983-1995 Total Mean Maxima Minima m/s deg m/sec deg 
Jan 7.1 1016.1 1017.8 110 331 
Feb 1016.0 1017.3 74 
Mar 1018.7 1016.0 106 
1015.1 1014.2 90 
1014.8 1015.7 79 
1015.3 1015.1 91 
1016.2 1015.9 96 
1015.6 1016.3 111 
1017.3 1017.6 82 
1017.2 1018.6 82 
1018.0 1018.4 
1018.6 1019.2 


° 
DS) 


== 
oe 8 8 
s 2 6 o 
oe ee 


. 


RRWROwMUOUUD 


== inv) == 
NUBRPURRSR nD 
ONDHOUUNNOUD 
MI Oe WNW Me OeCWNs 
oS UEONUUAN OF O 
NA2NNON20O2-=N 
ENWOUDOWNW OND 


4 
9 
4 
9. 

3 

26 

(5) 

22 

19 
9. 
4. 


ey 
© 
ro) 


1016.6 1016.8 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


Air Temperature 


The FRF enjoys a typical marine climate that moderates the temperature 
extremes of both summer and winter. 


Measurement instruments 


A Yellow Springs Instrument Company, Inc. (YSI) (Yellow Springs, OH), 
electronic temperature probe with analog output interfaced to the FRF's computer 
was operated beside the NWS's meteorological instrument shelter located 43 m 
behind the dune (Figure 2). To ensure proper temperature readings, 


Pressure Gauge 
No..111 
0.9 km offshore 


Baylor Gauge No. 625 


ee 


B Pressure Gauge No. 641 
“ % : Tide Gauge 


Sion 
No. 865-1370 


” Waverider Buoy 
No. 630 
6 km offshore 


Figure 2 . FRF gauge locations 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


the probe was installed 3 m above ground inside a protective cover to shade it 
from direct sun, yet provide proper ventilation. 


Results 


Daily and average air temperature values are tabulated in Table 2 and 
shown in Figure 3. 


Year Mean,-C 


—* 1995 18.5 
@----© 1983-95 16.0 


O 
° 
© 
L 
=) 
= 
o 
= 
© 
Q 
© 
ke 
= 
<x 


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 3. Daily air temperature values with monthly means 


Atmospheric Pressure 


Measurement instruments 


Electronic atmospheric pressure sensor. Atmospheric pressure was 
measured with a YSI electronic sensor with analog output located in the laboratory 
building at 9 m above NGVD. Data were recorded on the FRF computer. Data 
from this gauge were compared with those from an NWS aneroid 
barometer to ensure proper operation. 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


Microbarograph. A Weathertronics, Incorporated (Sacramento, CA), 
recording aneroid sensor (microbarograph) located in the laboratory building was 
also used to continuously record atmospheric pressure variation. 


The microbarograph was compared daily with the NWS aneroid 
barometer, and adjustments were made as necessary. Maintenance of the 
microbarograph consisted of inking the pen, changing the chart paper, and winding 
the clock every 7 days. During the summer, a meteorologist from the NWS 
checked and verified the operation of the barometer. 


The microbarograph was read and inspected daily using the following 
procedure: 
The pen was zeroed (where applicable). 
The chart time was checked and corrected, if necessary. 
The daily reading was marked on the chart for reference. 
The starting and ending chart times were recorded, as necessary. 
New charts were installed, when needed. 


sacs 


Results 


Daily and average atmospheric pressure values are presented in 
Figure 4, and summary statistics are presented in Table 2. 


Year Mean, mb 


xx 1995 1016.6 
@----0 1983-95 1016.9 


a 
E 
© 
= 
>) 
12) 
no 
) 
= 

a 
Oo 

= 
© 

fe 
Q 
129) 
fe) 
= 

= 

< 


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 4. Daily barometric pressure values with monthly means 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


Precipitation 


Precipitation is generally well distributed throughout the year. 
Precipitation from mid-latitude cyclones (northeasters) predominates in the 
winter, whereas local convection (thunderstorms) accounts for most of the 
summer rainfall. 


Measurement instruments 


Electronic rain gauge. A Belfort Instrument Company (Baltimore, 
MD) 30-cm weighing rain gauge, located near the instrument shelter 47 m 
behind the dune, measured daily precipitation. According to the manufacturer, 
the instrument's accuracy was 0.5 percent for precipitation amounts less than 
15 cm and 1.0 percent for amounts greater than 15 cm. 


The rain gauge was inspected daily; however, the analog chart recorder 
was inoperable the entire year. 


Plastic rain gauge. An Edwards Manufacturing Company (Alberta 
Lea, MN) True Check 15-cm-capacity clear plastic rain gauge with a 0.025-cm 
resolution was used to monitor the performance of the weighing rain gauge. 
This gauge was located near the weighing gauge, and the gauges were com- 
pared on a daily basis. Very few discrepancies were identified during the year. 


Results 


Daily and monthly average precipitation values are shown in Figure 5. 
Statistics of total precipitation for each month during this year and average 
totals for all years combined are presented in Table 2. 


Wind Speed and Direction 


Winds at the FRF are dominated by tropical maritime air masses that 
create low to moderate, warm southern breezes; arctic and polar air masses that 
produce cold winds from northerly directions; and smaller scale cyclonic, low 
pressure systems, which originate either in the tropics (and move north along 
the coast) or on land (and move eastward offshore). The dominant wind direc- 
tion changes with the season, being generally from northern directions in the 
fall and winter and from southern directions in the spring and summer. It is 
common for fall and winter storms (northeasters) to produce winds with 
average speeds in excess of 15 m/sec. 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


10 


Year Total, mm 


x——* 1995 1256 
@----© 1980-95 1082 


E 
E 
es 
(2) 
g 
1o) 
2 
O 
v 
ao 


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 5. Daily precipitation values with monthly totals 


Measurement instrument 


Winds were measured at the seaward end of the pier at an elevation of 
19.1 m (Figure 2) using a Weather Measure Corporation (Sacramento, CA) 
Skyvane Model W102P anemometer. Wind speed and direction data were 
collected on the FRF computer. The anemometer manufacturer specifies an 
accuracy of +0.45 m/sec below 13 m/sec and 3 percent at speeds above 
13 m/sec, with a threshold of 0.9 m/sec. Wind direction accuracy is +2 deg, 
with a resolution of less than 1 deg. The anemometer is calibrated annually at 
the National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, MD, and is within the 
manufacturer's specifications. 


Chapter 2: Meteorology 


Results 


Annual and monthly joint probability distributions of wind speed 
versus direction were computed. Wind speeds were resolved into 3-m/sec 
intervals, whereas the directions were at 22.5-deg intervals (i.e., 16-point 
compass direction specifications). These distributions are presented as wind 
"roses," such that the length of the petal represents the frequency of occurrence 
of wind blowing from the specified direction, and the width of the petal is 
indicative of the speed. Resultant directions and speeds were also determined 
by vector-averaging the data (see Table 2). Wind statistics are presented in 
Figures 6-8. 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


11 


N 
337.50.0 995 


315.0 0 


45 
292.5 a tp Pee 
ml) 


Ww 90.0E 


270.0 f= 


e Qe 
247.5 fi Ley 112.5 


225.0 [sooo 


202.5 180.097" 
S 
1995 
Speed 1.1 m/s 
Direction 359 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 


315.0 5.0 
67.5 


Boer ys 
292.5 a I 


W 990.0 = | 90.0E 


EL | wey 112.5 


225.0 135.0 


202.5 180.0 ="? 
S 


1980-1995 
Speed 0.8 m/s 
Direction 351 deg 


Frequency, % 


Figure 6. Annual wind roses 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


N N 
337.50.0 995 337.50.0 995 


315.0 315.0 ; 
: Bau wt 7 67.5 
ry, 3 


W 90.0E W — 90.0E 


27.0.0) = 270.0 (ar 
3S 


@ 


247.5 WA. wd 112.5 247.5 / i 3 * 112.5 


225.0 135-0 225.0 
202.5 180.0 97° 202.5 180.0 
S S 
JANUARY FEBRUARY 
Speed 1.9 m/s Speed 2.4 m/s 
Direction 316 deg Direction 309 deg 


135.0 
157.5 


292.5 


Wi Y W 270.0 o 


247.5 Pr & Tw c 247.5 ¢4 


225.0 s 225.0 
202.5 180.0 202.5 180.0 
S S 
MARCH APRIL 
Speed 2.9 m/s Speed 0.7 m/s 
Direction 5 deg Direction 77 deg 


Frequency, % 


Figure 7. Monthly wind roses for 1995 (Sheet 1 of 3) 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


14 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 


292.5 AY 7, 


Wome oC =i 90.0E 


Sy <> 
247.5 f i LN 112.5 


135.0 


67.5 


225.0 
202.5 180.0 °° 
S 
MAY 
Speed 0.5 m/s 
Direction 136 deg 


315.0 


292.5 


Ww — 90.0E 


270.0 S 


ny, re 112.5 


135.0 


202.5 180.0 ©”"> 


S 
JULY 
Speed 2.2 m/s 
Direction 181 deg 


Frequency, % 


Figure 7. (Sheet 2 of 3) 


N 
337.50.0 995 


45.0 
A 
292.5 ale Whe ors 
& Fs 


W700 oe — 90.0E 


¢ S 
247.5 ¢] " yb 112.5 


225.0 135.0 


202.5 180.0'°7"° 
S 
JUNE 
Speed 1.5 m/s 
Direction 65 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 


oo 


315.0 ) 


202.5 180.0 
S 


AUGUST 
Speed 2.8 m/s 
Direction 30 deg 


Chapter 2: Meteorology 


ie) 
9 


90.0E 


3 


N N 
337.5 0.0 337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 
Oe 
Woes) A 
292.5 2 VA : S 
Ps 
comm) 
a aa: ¢ 


207.5 Og io 112.5 


225.0 135.0 


202.5 180.0 97-5 202.5 180.0 97:5 
S S 
SEPTEMBER 


OCTOBER 
Speed 4.4 m/s Speed 0.5 m/s 
Direction 43 deg Direction 68 deg 


N N 
337/510:0)) 551s B/S OO on 5 
315.0 


AM é 67.5 


10) 


45. 
a} 5 67.5 
aN Fs 
W 270.0 os 90.0E Ww | 


270.0 o= 


055 L b ae wis” ¢ 4 a Y 
225.0 : 


SR 135.0 
202.5 180.0 7° 


202.5 180.0 '7-> 
S Ss 
NOVEMBER 


DECEMBER 
Speed 3.1 m/s Speed 2.9 m/s 
Direction 293 deg Direction 322 deg 


90.0E 


112.5 


Frequency, % 


Figure 7. (Sheet 3 of 3) 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 


N 
337.50.0 995 


y 1 45.0 315.0 q 
f. 67.5 a ie 
292.5 a , 292.5 


en as 5 90.0E W 970.0 = 90.0E 


247. eo; ee 112.5 


225.0 135.0 


202.5 180.0 7" 
S 
JANUARY 
Speed 2.2 m/s 
Direction 331 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 


247.5 "Spur me 112.5 


225.0 135.0 
(5725) 


202.5 180.0 
S 
FEBRUARY 
Speed 1.9 m/s 
Direction 341 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 


292.5 i: ; ee 292.5 ale, cis 


W 970.0 iz S 90.0E Wee ee S 2 90.0E 


247.5 “ti “we 112.5 247.5 ar Ty 112.5 


225.0 135.0 225.0 135.0 


202.5 180.0 7? 202.5 180.0 "> 


S 
MARCH 
Speed 1.3 m/s 
Direction 351 deg 


S 
APRIL 
Speed 0.2 m/s 
Direction 320 deg 


Frequency, % 


Figure 8. Monthly wind roses for 1980 through 1995 (Sheet 1 of 3) 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


N 


337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 


292.5 es I>, 


W 970.0 cal 


247. y ff we 


225.0 
157.5 


202.5 180.0 
S 
MAY 
Speed 0.3 m/s 
Direction 150 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 


67.5 


90.0E 


112.5 


135.0 


315.0 45.0 


292.5 Pec i> 
XG Da 
W 570.0 —_ => 


aoe 


202.5 180.0 °7> 
S 
JULY 
Speed 2.0 m/s 
Direction 206 deg 


Figure 8. (Sheet 2 of 3) 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


67.5 


90.0E 


112.5 


135.0 


Frequency, % 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 


292.5 att is eee 


ro 
Ww 270.0 2 90.0E 


Y) iw 112.5 


225.0 135.0 


202.5 180.0 °7"° 


S 
JUNE 
Speed 1.0 m/s 
Direction 184 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 


HEZS) 
225.0 135.0 
202.5 180.0 7° 
S 
AUGUST 
Speed 0.5 m/s 
Direction 84 deg 


17 


18 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 


AY 


270.0 2 


247.5 ° 
225.0 135.0 
202.5 180.0 7° 
S 


90.0E 


cml 
Sy 
\ 


112.5 


SEPTEMBER 
Speed 2.0 m/s 
Direction 39 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 45.0 


292.5 ant 2 ee, 


W 90.0E 


270.0 & is 
247.5 “Cy . 112.5 
225.0 135.0 
APB comes 
S 


NOVEMBER 
Speed 1.7 m/s 
Direction 347 deg 


Frequency, % 


Figure 8. (Sheet 3 of 3) 


N 
337.50.0 995 


202.5 180.0 
S 


OCTOBER 
Speed 2.3 m/s 
Direction 26 deg 


N 
337.50.0 995 
315.0 


5.0 
a! 5 67.5 
292 SN VA 


202.5 180.0'°/° 
S 
DECEMBER 
Speed 2.4 m/s 
Direction 331 deg 


Chapter 2 Meteorology 


3 Waves 


This chapter presents summaries of the wave data. A discussion of 
individual major storms is given in Chapter 9 and contains additional wave data 
for times when wave heights exceeded 2 m at the seaward end of the FRF pier. 
Appendixes B through E provide more extensive data summaries for each gauge, 
including height and period distributions, wave direction distributions, persistence 
tables, and spectra during storms. 


Wave directions (similar to wind directions) at the FRF are seasonally 
distributed. Waves approach most frequently from north of the pier in the fall and 
winter and south of the pier in the summer, with the exception of storm waves that 
approach twice as frequently from north of the pier. Annually, waves are 
approximately evenly distributed between north and south (resultant wave direc- 
tion being almost shore-normal). 


Measurement Instruments 


The wave gauges included one wave staff gauge (Gauge 625), one buoy 
gauge (Gauge 630), and two pressure gauges (Gauges 111 and 641) as shown in 
Figure 2. Staff gauge 645 failed in May 1992 and was replaced by 
pressure gauge 641 at the same location. The gauges were located as follows: 


Distance Offshore Water Depth Operational 
Gauge Type/Number from Baseline Period 


Continuous wire (645) 238 m 5 11/84-05/92 
Pressure Gauge (641) 238 m ap) 11/92-12/95 
Continuous wire (625) 567 m 11/78-12/95 
Accelerometer buoy (630) 6 km 11/78-12/95 


Staff gauges 
One Baylor Company (Houston, TX) parallel cable inductance wave 
gauge (Gauge 625 at sta 18+60 (Figure 2)) was mounted on the FRF pier. 


Rugged and reliable, this gauge requires little maintenance except to keep tension 


Chapter 3 Waves 


20 


on the cables and to remove any material that may cause an electrical short 
between them. It was calibrated prior to installation by creating an electrical short 
between the two cables at known distances along the cable and recording the 
voltage output. Electronic signal conditioning amplifiers are used to ensure that 
the output signals from the gauge are within a 0- to 5-V range. Manufacturer- 
stated gauge accuracy is about 1.0 percent, with a 0.1-percent 

full-scale resolution; full scale is 14 m for Gauge 625. This gauge is susceptible 
to lightning damage, but protective measures have been taken to minimize such 
occurrences. A more complete description of the gauges’ operational 
characteristics is given by Grogg (1986). 


Buoy gauge 


One Datawell Laboratory for Instrumentation (Haarlem, The Netherlands) 
Waverider buoy gauge (Gauge 630) measures the vertical acceleration produced 
by the passage of a wave. The acceleration signal is double-integrated to produce 
a displacement signal transmitted by radio to an onshore receiver. The manufac- 
turer stated that wave amplitudes are correct to within 3 percent of their actual 
value for wave frequencies between 0.065 and 0.500 Hz (corresponding to 15- to 
2-sec wave periods). The manufacturer also specified that the error gradually 
increased to 10 percent for wave periods in excess of 
20 sec. The results in this report were not corrected for the manufacturer's 
specified amplitude errors. However, the buoy was calibrated semiannually to 
ensure that it was within the manufacturer's specification. 


Pressure gauges 


One Senso-Metrics, Incorporated (Simi Valley, CA), pressure 
transduction gauge (Gauge 111) installed near the ocean bottom measures the 
pressure changes produced by the passage of waves creating an output signal that 
is linear and proportional to pressure when operated within its design limits. 
Predeployment and postdeployment calibrations are performed at the FRF using a 
static deadweight tester. The sensor's range is 0 to 25 psi (equivalent to 0 to 17 m 
of seawater) above atmospheric pressure with a manufacturer-stated accuracy of 
+0.25 percent. Copper scouring pads are installed at the sensor's diaphragm to 
reduce biological fouling, and the system is periodically cleaned by divers. 

One Paroscientific, Incorporated (Redmond, WA) pressure transduction 
gauge (Gauge 641) was installed near the ocean bottom on an instrument pile 
under the pier at station 7+80. Calibration is similar to that performed on 
Gauge 111. The sensor's range is 0 to 45 psia (equivalent to 0 to 30 m of 
seawater) with a manufacturer-stated accuracy of +0.01 percent. A perforated 
copper/nickel plate protects the sensor's diaphragm from biological fouling, and 
the system is periodically cleaned by divers. 


Chapter 3 Waves 


Digital Data Analysis and Summarization 


The data were collected, analyzed, and then archived on optical disk using 
the FRF's VAX computer. Data sets were normally collected every 3 hr. For 
each gauge, a data set consisted of five contiguous records of 4,096 points 
recorded at 0.5 Hz (approximately 34-min long), for a total of 2 hr and 
50 minutes, resulting in only a 10-min gap between data sets. Analysis was 
performed on individual 34-min records. 


The analysis program computes the first moment (mean) and the second 
moment about the mean (variance) and then edits the data by checking for 
"jumps," "spikes," and points exceeding the voltage limit of the gauge. A jump is 
defined as a data value greater than five standard deviations from the previous 
data value, whereas a spike is a data value more than five standard deviations 
from the mean. If less than five consecutive jumps or spikes are found, the 
program linearly interpolates between acceptable data and replaces the erroneous 
data values. The editing stops if the program finds more than five consecutive 
jumps or spikes, or more than a total of 100 bad points, or the variance of the volt- 
age is below 1 x 10° squared volts. The statistics and diagnostics from the 
analysis are saved. 


Sea surface energy spectra are computed from the edited time series. 
Spectral estimates are computed from smaller data segments obtained by 
dividing the 4,096-point record into several 512-point segments. The estimates are 
then ensemble-averaged to produce a more accurate spectrum. These data 
segments are overlapped by 50 percent (known as the Welch (1967) method) 
which has been shown to produce better statistical properties than nonoverlapped 
segments. The mean and linear trends are removed from each segment prior to 
spectral analysis. To reduce side-lobe leakage in the spectral 
estimates, a data window was applied. The first and last 10 percent of data points 
were multiplied by a cosine bell (Bingham, Godfrey, and Tukey 1967). Spectra 
were computed from each segment with a discrete Fast Fourier 
Transform and then ensemble-averaged. Sea surface spectra from subsurface 
pressure gauges were obtained by applying the linear wave theory transfer 
function. 


Unless otherwise stated, wave height in this report refers to the energy- 
based parameter H,,, defined as four times the zeroth moment wave height of 
the estimated sea surface spectrum (i.e., four times the square root of the 
variance) computed from the spectrum passband. Energy computations from 
the spectra are limited to a passband between 0.05 and 0.50 Hz for surface 
gauges and between 0.05 Hz and a high-frequency cutoff for subsurface 
gauges. This high-frequency limit is imposed to eliminate aliased energy and 
noise measurements from biasing the computation of H,,, and is defined as the 
frequency where the linear theory transfer function is less than 0.1 
(spectral values are multiplied by 100 or more). Smoother and more 
statistically significant spectral estimates are obtained by band-averaging 
contiguous spectral components (three components are averaged per band, 


Chapter 3 Waves 


21 


producing a frequency band width of 0.0117 Hz). 


Wave period 7, is defined as the period associated with the maximum 
energy band in the spectrum, which is computed using a 3-point running 
average band on the spectrum. The peak period is reported as the reciprocal of 
the center frequency (i.e., 7, = 1/frequency) of the spectral band with the 
highest energy. A detailed description of the analysis techniques is presented 
in an unpublished report by Andrews (1987).' 


Results 


The wave conditions for the year are shown in Figure 9. For all four 
gauges, the distributions of wave height for the current year and all years com- 
bined are presented in Figures 10 and 11, respectively. Distributions of wave 
period are presented in Figure 12. 


Multiple-year comparisons of data for Gauge 111 actually incorporate 
data for 1985 and 1986 from Gauge 640 (a discontinued Waverider buoy 
previously located at the approximate depth and distance offshore of Gauge 
111) and data for 1987 from Gauge 141, located 30 m south of Gauge 111. In 
addition, Gauge 511 was used from January through October 1993. 
Multiple-year data for Gauge 641 also include data from Gauge 645 (a Baylor 
staff gauge) which was mounted at the same location as Gauge 641 from 
November 1984 until May 1992, when it failed. 


Refraction, bottom friction, and wave breaking contribute to the 
observed differences in height and period. During the most severe storms 
when the wave heights exceed 3 m at the seaward end of the pier, the surf zone 
(wave breaking) has been observed to extend past the end of the pier and 
occasionally 1 km offshore. This occurrence is a major reason for the 
differences in the distributions between Gauge 630 and the inshore gauges. 

The wave height statistics for the pressure gauge (Gauge 641), located at the 
landward end of the pier, were considerably lower than those for the other 
gauges. In all but the calmest conditions, this gauge is within the breaker 
zone. Consequently, these statistics represent a lower energy wave climate. 


1M. E. Andrews. (1987). "Standard wave data analysis procedures for coastal engineering 
applications," unpublished report prepared for U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment 
Station, Vicksburg, MS. 


Chapter 3 Waves 


Jun 


13 5 7 9 1113 15 17 19 2123252729 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 2123 25 27 29 31 
Day of the Month 


S57 0 NSB WD M2827 1357 9 Nii Y © 21282327 ew wt 
Day of the Month 


Figure 9. 1995 time-histories of wave height and period for Gauge 630 


Chapter 3 Waves 


23 


E 
ic 
oe 

oO 
ae 


OR 10° “10 
Percent Greater Than Indicated 


Figure 10. 1995 annual wave height distributions 


GW 


sf 


J 
4 

| 

=| 

| 

| 

4 

: 
al 
4 

4 

| 

= 

5] 

1 


iO 10° 10 
Percent Greater Than Indicated 


Figure 11. Annual distribution of wave heights for 1980 through 1995 


on Chapter 3 Waves 


Gauge 625 1995 | Gauge 625 1980-95 

20-4 7 al 
| y) | : VIZ Z 

| _plBoatlon_|_..0aelhboo 


4075 


= 
Gauge 630 1995 Gauge 630 1980-95 


|_effaoelo.1_nAageBZboo_ 


Gauge 111 1995 Gauge 111 1985-95 


iY Acre 
| _.o@oodleo1_onBolAoo 


40 
i Gauge 641 Gauge 641 1980-95 


~ 
o 
O 
e 
= 
= 
= 
) 
O 
oO 
om 
3 
> 
S 
S 
® 
>) 
a 
2 
uc 


Z Y, 
oa - WA F 
aA VIO ; | CAGE 
Dea F 86 7 8 9 0 2 ie ie 8 910 12 14 16 
Period, sec eriod, sec 


Figure 12. Annual wave period distributions for all gauges 


Summary wave statistics for the current year and all years combined 
are presented for Gauge 630 in Table 3. 


Chapter 3 Waves 


Table 3 


Wave Statistics for Gauge 630 


Month 


Jan 
Feb 
Mar 
Apr 
May 
Jun 
Jul 
Aug 
Sep 
Oct 
Nov 
Dec 


Annual 


26 


1995 1980-1995 
Height Period Height Period 
Std. Std. Std. Std. 
Mean Dev. Extreme Mean Dev. Number Mean Dev. Extreme Mean Dev. 
m om _om Date sec _sec 


UUWRONERRRAUG 
: 
‘ 


. 


. 
. 
° 
. CE OieiteeOie One) ee 
oa ONONUANMNUNAUN 


. 
oe se 
FUOFN-WADOMWO—= 
. 
ee 
e 8 
. 


OP OWUNOWAOUONON 
UNFUNODWWOON OW 
HNNNNNNNWNNW 


ONUDmMUOMNWNO 
OoO0O0O00 0000000 
‘ SOOO SCS E26 

Oo REABNDAONDY 
MMO OM MVYOO MMO 
WoaNWoeonaankro 
NNNMNMNN WNW NM PH Ph PP 

! 


OOO0O0O0C0COCO0C0C0C°O 
NNNNAF AH AH AaANNNN 
ROW -DCANANANO®D 
=] 92220000 = = a= 

. O60 ar 
NPN -ANWDONNN 


oO 
oa 
S 
N 
oo 
i 
Nm 
ul 
= 
(=) 
f=) 
on 
a 
5 
= 
fos) 
W 
N 


Annual joint distributions of wave height versus wave period for 
Gauge 630 are presented for 1995 in Table 4, and for all years combined in 
Table 5. Similar distributions for the other gauges are included in Appendixes 
B-E. 


Annual distributions of wave directions (relative to true north) based 
on daily observations of direction at the seaward end of the pier and height 
from Gauge 625 (or Gauge 111 when data for Gauge 625 were unavailable) are 
shown in Figure 13. Monthly wave roses for 1995 and all years combined are 
presented in Figures 14 and 15, respectively. 


Chapter 3 Waves 


Table 4 


Annual (1995) Joint Distribution of H_. versus 7, for Gau 


mo p 


Period, sec 


e 8 8 8 
ororOoOrROF 


WWNrmHN--ooO 


Greater 3 6 Q ° . c 
Total 36 144 532 1148 1377 1141 


1 Percent occurrence (x100) of height and period. 


Table 5 
Annual (1980-1995) Joint Distribution of H 


Height, m 


ououoUoOWUoOWOo 
o00o00000000 
' 


' 
WWrHNA] oOo 
e 8 8 8 © 8 « 28 
orOoOrOrOL 
0 00000 0 0 


UPN mp] R-] O° 
o ss «8 a 


- Greater 6 5 - J O O 
Total 57 160 458 1150 1406 1116 


1 Percent occurrence (x100) of height and period. 


Chapter 3 Waves 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 _13.9 _15.9 _Longer 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
13.9 


Total 


27 


1995 
Height 0.8 m 
Direction 66 deg 


1980-1995 
Height 0.8 m 
Direction 66 deg 


Height, m 


20 
Frequency, % 


Figure 13. Annual wave roses 


28 


Chapter 3 Waves 


Chapter 3 Waves 


S 
JANUARY 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 65 deg 


S 
MARCH 
Height 1.0 m 
Direction 65 deg 


Height, m 


0) 20 
Frequency, % 


FEBRUARY 
Height 0.6 m 
Direction 55 deg 


a 
6 we] 90.0E 
ae 


112.5 


S 
APRIL 
Height 0.7 m 
Direction 67 deg 


Figure 14. Monthly wave roses for 1995 (Sheet 1 of 3) 


29 


30 


Height 0.8 m 
Direction 70 deg 


S 
JULY 
Height 0.5 m 
Direction 89 deg 


(0) 


Figure 14. (Sheet 2 of 3) 


Height, m 


20 
Frequency, % 


S 
JUNE 
Height 0.6 m 
Direction 73 deg 


S 
AUGUST 
Height 1.1 m 
Direction 73 deg 


Chapter 3 Waves 


S) S 
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 
Height 1.1 m Height 0.8 m 
Direction 63 deg Direction 76 deg 


157.5 


S S 
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 
Height 0.7 m Height 0.7 m 
Direction 53 deg Direction 53 deg 


Height, m 


0 20 40 60 80 
Frequency, % 


Figure 14. (Sheet 3 of 3) 


Chapter 3 Waves 


32 


JANUARY 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 58 deg 


MARCH 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 64 deg 


Figure 15. Monthly wave roses for 1980 through 1995 (Sheet 1 of 3) 


0) 


112.5 


135.0 
157.5 
S 
FEBRUARY 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 58 deg 


APRIL 
Height 0.8 m 
Direction 68 deg 


20 
Frequency, % 


Chapter 3 Waves 


Height 0.7 m 
Direction 72 deg 


JULY 
Height 0.4 m 
Direction 85 deg 


Figure 15. (Sheet 2 of 3) 


Chapter 3 Waves 


(0) 


JUNE 
Height 0.5 m 
Direction 78 deg 


AUGUST 
Height 0.6 m 
Direction 76 deg 


Height, m 


20 
Frequency, % 


33 


34 


SEPTEMBER 
Height 0.8 m 
Direction 69 deg 


OCTOBER 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 67 deg 


Owl) 
e 


112.5 


135.0 


S 
NOVEMBER 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 61 deg 


(0) 


Figure 15. (Sheet 3 of 3) 


DECEMBER 
Height 0.9 m 
Direction 58 deg 


Height, m 


20 
Frequency, % 


Chapter 3 Waves 


4 Currents 


Surface current speed and direction at the FRF are influenced by winds, 
waves, and, indirectly, by the bottom topography. The extent of the respective 
influences varies daily. However, winds tend to dominate the currents at the 
seaward end of the pier, whereas waves dominate within the surf zone. 


Observations 


Near 0700 EST, daily observations of surface current speed and direction 
were made at (a) the seaward end of the pier, (b) the midsurf position on the pier, 
and (c) 10 to 15 m from the beach 500 m updrift of the pier. Surface currents 
were determined by observing the movement of a small wooden block floating on 
the water surface. 


Results 


Annual mean and mean currents for 1980 through 1995 are presented in 
Table 6 and in Figure 16. Figure 16 shows the daily and average annual 
measurements at the beach, pier midsurf, and pier end locations. Since the relative 
influences of the winds and waves vary with position from shore, the current 
speeds and, to some extent, direction vary at the beach, midsurf, and pier end 
locations. Magnitudes generally are largest at the midsurf location and lowest at 
the end of the pier. 


Chapter 4 Currents 


35 


36 


Table 6 


Mean Longshore Surface Currents’ 


Pier End, cm/sec Pier Midsurf, cm/sec 
1980- 


1995 1995 


southward; - = northward. 


Beach, cm/sec 


Chapter 4 Currents 


” 
SS 
€ 
Oo 
me) 
fd) 
o 
jee 
WY 
_ 
(S 
oO 
\ 
S 
=) 
(S) 


Pier Midsurf 


Year Mean, cm/s 


—_—_* 1995 15 
@-=-01980-95 13 


Year Mean, cm/s 


—_—* 1995 15 
@---01980-95 7 


Rach (GOO tm Uschi) q4- 


Mean, cm/s 


——~«1995 . 4 
@---01980-95 3 


290) —— Aa. Ga 


Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 
Month 


[=a alta tle Delpos fh Sea Tl 


Sep Oct Nov Dec 


Figure 16. Daily current speeds and directions with monthly means for 1995 


Chapter 4 Currents 


S)7/ 


38 


5 Tides and Water Levels 


Measurement Instrument 


From 1978 to June 1995 water level data were obtained from an 
NOAA/NOS control tide station (sta 865-1370) located at the seaward end of the 
research pier (Figure 2) by using a Leupold and Stevens, Inc. (Beaverton, OR), 
digital tide gauge. This analog-to-digital recorder is a float-activated, negator- 
spring, counterpoised instrument that mechanically converts the vertical motion of 
a float into a coded, punched paper tape record. The below-deck installation at 
pier sta 19+60 consisted of a 30.5-cm-diam stilling well with a 2.5-cm orifice and 
a 21.6-cm-diam float. 


Operation and tending of the tide gauge conformed to NOS standards. 
The gauge was checked daily for proper operation of the punch mechanism and for 
accuracy of the time and water level information. The accuracy was 
determined by comparing the gauge level reading with a level read from a refer- 
ence electric tape gauge. Once a week, a heavy metal rod was lowered down the 
stilling well and through the orifice to ensure free flow of water into the well. 
During the summer months, when biological growth was most severe, divers in- 
spected and cleaned the orifice opening as required. 


The tide station was inspected quarterly by an NOAA/NOS tide field 
group. Tide gauge elevation was checked using existing NOS control 
positions, and the equipment was checked and adjusted as needed. Both NOS and 
FRF personnel also reviewed procedures for tending the gauge and 
handling the data. Any specific comments on the previous months of data were 
discussed to ensure data accuracy. 


Digital paper tape records of tide heights taken every 6 min were analyzed 
by the Tides Analysis Branch of NOS. An interpreter created a digital 
magnetic computer tape from the punch paper tape, which was then processed on 
a large computer. First, a listing of the instantaneous tidal height values was cre- 
ated for visual inspection. If errors were encountered, a computer program was 
used to fill in or recreate bad or missing data using correct values from the nearest 


Chapter 5 Tides and Water Levels 


NOS tide station and accounting for known time lags and elevation anomalies. 
When the validity of the data had been confirmed, monthly 

tabulations of daily highs and lows, hourly heights (instantaneous height 

selected on the hour), and various extreme and/or mean water level statistics were 
computed. 


Following a year of comparison tests at the FRF the Leupold and Stevens, 
Inc., digital tide gauge was replaced in June 1995 by an NOS acoustic tide gauge 
(Next Generation Water Level Measurement System, NGWLMS) located at pier 
sta 19+20. 


The following brief discription of the NGWLMS was condensed from a 
paper found on the NOAA World Wide Web site (Gill 1990). 


The NGWLMS system’s primary sensor is a self-calibrating, downward- 
looking acoustic system that transmits a short acoustic pulse through a 1.3-cm- 
diameter sound tube to the water surface and to a calibration point referenced to 
the station’s datum. Because the major potential source for errors is vertical 
temperature changes between the sensor and the water surface, sound tube air 
temperatures are monitored and accompany the transmitted data. The sensor takes 
181 1-sec samples in 3-min periods centered every 6 min. A new mean value and 
standard deviation are computed every 6-minutes. Each NGWLMS also includes 
a less accurate, strain-gauge type sensor as a backup. The systems relay data 
every 3-hrs to NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 
system. NOAA’s NGWLMS Data Processing and Analysis System retrieves 
data on an hourly basis, decodes and then performs automated quality control 
checks. 


Results 


Tides at the FRF are semidiurnal with both daily high and low tides 
approximately equal. Tide height statistics are presented in Table 7. 
Figure 17 plots the monthly tide statistics for all available data, and Figure 18 
compares the distribution of daily high and low water levels and hourly tide 
heights. The monthly or annual mean sea level (MSL) reported is the average of 
the hourly heights, whereas the mean tide level is midway between mean high 
water (MHW) and mean low water (MLW), which are the averages of the daily 
high- and low-water levels, respectively, relative to NGVD. Mean range (MR) is 
the difference between MHW and MLW levels, and the lowest water level for the 
month is the extreme low (EL) water, while the highest water level is the extreme 
high (EH) water level. 


NOTE: Due to a mistake in converting feet to centimeters the tide height statistics 
from 1987 through 1993 (as published in the 1987 through 1993 Annual Data 
Summaries) found in Table 7 and Figure 17 were in error. These were corrected 
beginning with the 1994 report. 


Chapter 5 Tides and Water Levels 


40 


Table 7 
Tide Height Statistics’ 


Mean Mean Mean 
Tide Sea Low 
Level Level Water 


Measurements are in centimeters. 


Prior Years 


Extreme 
Low 


Nov -95 
Dec -84 
Dec -84 
Oct -100 
May -94 
Mar -92 
Apr -86 
Jan -76 
Dec -108 
Dec -93 
Oct -77 
Jan -73 
Oct -108 
Nov -110 
Mar -119 
Feb -95 Sep 


Mar 1989 -119 Mar 1980 


Chapter 5 Tides and Water Levels 


yl / Al A We da, 


Water Level, cm 


1991 


1987 


1983 1989 


1981 1985 


Year 


Figure 17. Monthly tide and water level statistics relative to NGVD 


1995 
1979-95 


£ 
i) 
> 
@ 
= 
‘= 
© 
& 
5 
= 


10.00 25.00 50.00 75.00 90.00 99.00 99.90 99.99 
Percent Greater Than 


Figure 18. Distributions of hourly tide heights and high- and low-water levels 


Chapter 5 Tides and Water Levels 


41 


42 


6 Water Characteristics 


Monthly averages of daily measurements of surface water temperature, 
visibility, and density at the seaward end of the FRF pier are given in 
Table 8. The summaries represent single observations made near 0700 EST and, 
therefore, may not reflect daily average conditions since such characteristics can 
change within a 24-hr period. Large temperature variations were common when 
there were large differences between the air and water temperatures and variations 
in wind direction. From past experience, persistent onshore winds move warmer 
surface water toward the shoreline, although offshore winds cause colder bottom 
water to circulate shoreward, resulting in lower temperatures. 


Table 8 


Mean Surface Water Characteristics 


Temperature Visibility Density 
deq C a/cm® 

1980- 1980- 
1995 1995 1995 
1.0247 1.0234 
1.0251 1.0231 
1.0234 1.0227 
1.0243 1.0223 
1.0233 1.0218 
1.0213 1.0212 
1.0226 1.0215 
1.0224 1.0207 
1.0214 1.0209 
1.0234 1.0219 
1.0246 1.0230 
1.0248 1.0235 


— 
NO 
NO 
ju 
NO 


Month 
Jan 
Feb 
Mar 
Apr 
May 
Jun 
Jul 
Aug 
Sep 
Oct 
Nov 
Dec 


eee 
aavyu ) 
SE Ra OB Ose 
UDROMOMNWYOW 
Corh>-honkRO>-aAU 
=2024fhuWUW WS) 
SES Oe ay ae RR a 
C2020n>2U0UUD © 
B32 aNWWWp ooo 
Se Fi Die oe BE 
Aa RN HOWWOKnD 


= 
or 
. 


1.0234 1.0221 


ao 
nN 
oO 
N 
. 

= 


Annual 


Chapter 6 Water Characteristics 


Temperature 


Daily sea surface water temperatures (Figure 19) were measured with an 
NOS water sampler and thermometer. Monthly mean water temperatures (Table 
8) varied with the air temperatures (see Table 2). 


Temperature 
Year degC 


—« 1995 15.6 
@----© 1980-95 14.8 


©) 
D 
oO 
O 
o 
cs 
=) 
= 
o 
© 
Q 
= 
© 
lol 
ths 
© 
i 
o 
= 


liemewan ylfictaeical T SPU Ly eS LT los LL 
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 19. Daily water temperature values with monthly means 


Visibility 


Visibility in coastal nearshore waters depends on the amount of salts, sol- 
uble organic material, detritus, living organisms, and inorganic particles in the 
water. These dissolved and suspended materials change the absorption and 
attenuation characteristics of the water that vary daily and yearly. 


Visibility was measured with a 0.3-m-diam Secchi disk, and similar to 
water temperature, variation was related to onshore and offshore winds. Onshore 
winds moved warm clear surface water toward shore, whereas offshore winds 


Chapter 6 Water Characteristics 


43 


44 


brought up colder bottom water with large concentrations of suspended matter. 
Figure 20 shows the daily and monthly mean surface visibility values for the year. 
Large variations were common, and visibility less than 1 m was expected in any 
month. Monthly means are given inTable 8. 


Year Mean, m 


*—* 1995 2.0 
@----© 1980-95 Zell 


E 
2 
2 
o 
> 

= 

oO 

ie) 
= 


SS [pe | a) | | foe a ee a er ies T T T 1 
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 20. Daily water visibility values with monthly means 


Density 


Daily and monthly mean surface density values, plotted in Figure 21, were 
measured with a hydrometer. Monthly means are also given in Table 8. These 
values are direct readings from the hydrometer. Corrections for differences 
between ocean water temperature and jar water temperature, as well as use of 


Chapter 6 Water Characteristics 


uncalibrated hydrometers and other factors, could produce an error amounting to a 
couple of percent in the direct hydrometer readings. 


Year Mean, g/cm? 


%——*1995 1.0234 
== 1980-95 1.0221 


Le) 

5 

S 
fon) 
> 

5 
3) 
Cc 
© 

a 


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 21. Daily water density values with monthly means 


Chapter 6 Water Characteristics 


45 


7 Surveys 


Waves and currents interacting with bottom sediments produce changes in 
the beach and nearshore bathymetry. These changes can occur very rapidly in re- 
sponse to storms, or slowly as a result of persistent but less forceful seasonal 
variations in wave and current conditions. 


Nearshore bathymetry at the FRF is characterized by regular shore- 
parallel contours, a moderate slope, and a barred surf zone (usually an outer storm 
bar in water depths of about 4.5 m and an inner bar in water depths between 1.0 
and 2.0 m). This pattern is interrupted in the immediate vicinity of the pier where 
a permanent trough runs under much of the pier, ending in a scour hole where 
depths can be up to 3.0 m greater than the adjacent bottom (Figure 22). This 
trough, which apparently is the result of the interaction of waves and currents with 
the pilings, varies in shape and depth with changing wave and current conditions. 


Figure 22. Permanent trough under the FRF pier, 
25 January 1995 


Chapter 7 Surveys 


The effect of the pier on shore-parallel contours occurs as far as 300 m away, and 
the shoreline may be affected up to 350 m from the pier (Miller, Birkemeier, and 
DeWall 1983). 


Approximately once a month, surveys were conducted of an area extend- 
ing 600 m north and south of the pier and approximately 950 m offshore. These 
surveys were conducted to document the temporal and spatial variability in 
bathymetry. Contour maps resulting from these surveys, along with plots of 
change in elevation between surveys, are given in Appendix A. 


All surveys used the Coastal Research Amphibious Buggy, a 10.7-m-tali 
amphibious tripod described by Birkemeier and Mason (1984), in combination 
with a Geodimeter 140-T self-tracking, electronic theodolite, distance meter. 
Profile locations are shown in each figure in Appendix A. Monthly soundings 
along both sides of the FRF pier were collected by lowering a weighted measuring 
tape to the bottom and recording the distance below the pier deck. Soundings were 
taken midway between the pier pilings to minimize errors caused by scour near the 
pilings. 


A history of bottom elevations below Gauges 645 and 625 is presented in 
Figure 23 for pier stations 7+80 (238 m) and 18+60 (567 m), along with 
intermediate locations, 323 and 433 m. 


(m) 
238 


SL el oo i eee Sp T Se a ead a nt fen =} 
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Figure 23. Time-history of bottom elevations at selected locations under the FRF pier 


Chapter 7 Surveys 


Distance 


47 


48 


8S Photography 


Aerial Photographs 


Aerial photographs are taken annually using a 23-cm aerial mapping cam- 
era at a scale of 1:12,000. All coverage was at least 60-percent overlap, with 
flights flown as closely as possible to low tide between 1000 and 1400 EST with 
less than 10-percent cloud cover. The flight lines covered are shown in Figure 24. 
Figure 25 is a sample of the imagery obtained on 14 January 1991; the available 
aerial photographs for the year are: 


Date Flight Lines Format 


18 October Black/White 
Color 


Beach Photographs 


Daily color slides of the beach were taken using a 35-mm camera from the 
same location on the pier looking north and south (Figure 26). The location from 
which each picture was taken, as well as the date, time, and a brief description of 
the picture, were marked on each of the slides. 


Chapter 8 Photography 


CHE SAPEAKE 
BAY 


“Ky ALBEMARLE SOUND 


pes oe 


ann ee > 
see ets ED 
Be mo a 


PAMLICO 
SOUND 


CAPE 
HATTERAS 


Figure 24. Aerial photography flight lines 


Chapter 8 Photography 49 


:12,000) 


1 


14 January 1991 (Scale 


Sample aerial photograph, 


Figure 25 


Chapter 8 Photography 


50 


North View South View 


4 So 


c. 14 March 1995 


Figure 26. Beach photos looking north and south from the FRF pier (Sheet 1 of 4) 


Chapter 8 Photography 


51 


South View 


North View 


11995 


ri 


Qo. 
<x 
+ 
ee 


d 


£14 June 1995 


igure 26. (Sheet 2 of 4) 


F 


Chapter 8 Photography 


52 


Figure 26. (Sheet 3 of 4) 


Chapter 8 Photography 


— 8 
ae 


South View 


eran 
Racer 


St 


y 
Vy 
7) 


ee 


53) 


54 


Figure 26. 


(Sheet 4 of 4) 


eee 


j. 14 October 1995 


South View 


Chapter 8 Photography 


9 Storms 


This chapter discusses storms (defined here as times when the wave height 
parameter H,,, equaled or exceeded 2 m at the seaward end of the FRF pier). 
Sample spectra from Gauge 630 are given in Appendix B. Prestorm and/or 
poststorm bathymetry diagrams are given in Appendix A. Tracking 
information was provided by NOAA Daily Weather Maps (U.S. Department of 
Commerce 1995). 


Chapter 9 Storms 


55 


56 


15-16 January 1995 (Figure 27) 


Following the passage of a cold front, onshore winds (from 
northeast) generated by a high pressure system reached 15 m/sec at 1216 EST 
on 15 January. The maximum H,,, (at Gauge 630) reached 3.2 m (7, = 11.10 
sec) at 1634 EST also on 15 January. There was 41 mm of precipitation. 


Atmospheric Pressure, mb Gauge 616 


2 | 


Gauge 932 


990 ot 
Wind Speed, m/sec 


Wind Direction, Deg True N 


Wave Height, Hy, Mm 


Gauge 630 


Gouge 3111 


Water Level from NGVD, m Gauge 11 


6 
JANUARY, 1995 


Figure 27. Data for 15-16 January 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


28-29 January 1995 (Figure 28) 


A strong Canadian high pressure system in conjunction with an 
approaching storm produced onshore winds at the FRF beginning on 28 
January. As the storm moved off the North Carolina coast it quickly intensified 
generating winds (from northeast) of 13 m/sec at 0208 EST on 29 January. 
Waves at Gauge 625 reached a maximum H,,, of 2.10 m (T, = 7.3 sec) at 0208 
EST also on 29 January. There was 5 mm of precipitation. 


Gauge 616 


Gouge 932 


Wave Height, H,,, m Gouge 625 


Gauge 625 


Wave Period, Tp, sec 


Gouge 3111 


-204 


Water Level from NGVD, m 


JANUARY, 1995 


Figure 28. Data for 28-29 January 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


57 


2 March 1995 (Figure 29) 


Northerly winds funneled between a Canadian high pressure system 
and a small low pressure system located offshore of Cape Hatteras, NC, briefly 
generated storm waves at the FRF. Waves at Gauge 625 reached a maximum 
H,,. of 2.3 m (T,, = 9.8 sec) at 1142 EST on 2 March. Onshore winds (from 
the north) peaked at 16 m/sec at 0842 EST also on 2 March. The FRF 
received 13 mm of precipitation from this storm. 


10405 Atmospheric Pressure, mb Gauge 616 


1030-4 
1020+ 2 Oe eer ge ee a 
10104 


10004 


990+-—+ Toonslimmlisantiomn’ imma 'ieealimey imme! nema” rs 
Wind Speed, m/sec Gauge 932 


Gauge 625 


Gauge 625 


Gauge 3111 


MARCH, 1995 


Figure 29. Data for 2 March 1995 storm 


58 Chapter 9 Storms 


7-8 August 1995 (Figure 30) 


A strong pressure gradient created by a Canadian high pressure system 
and a weak storm off Cape Hatteras, NC produced northeasterly winds of 
10 m/sec, which peaked at 0400 EST on 8 August. The maximum H,,,, (at 
Gauge 625) of 2.3 m (J, = 10.2 sec) was recorded at 2116 EST on7 August. 
There was 25 mm of precipitation at the FRF. 


10405 Atmospheric Pressure, mb Gauge 616 


10304 
1020-4 
ee ee ea On na 


10004 


9904 tt 
Wind Speed, m/sec 


Wave Height, H,,,, m Gauge 625 
Gauge 625 
Wave Direction, Deg True N Gauge 3111 


ee 


Water Level from NGVD, m Gauge 11 


Trea me ems Tc oe TTT TT TT Tea] 
8 


9 
AUGUST, 1995 


Figure 30. Data for 7-8 August 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


59 


15-18 August 1995-Hurricane Felix (Figure 31) 


Developing in the mid-Atlantic, Felix moved northwest then turned to 
the west on 15 August steering directly for the North Carolina coast. 
Downgraded from a category 3 to a 1 (on the Saffir/Simpson Scale) Felix 
stalled when he collided with a trough of low pressure entrenched along the 
East coast, then moved offshore, never making landfall. Maximum onshore 
winds (from northeast) at the FRF reached 17 m/sec at 1816 EST on 16 
August. The maximum H,,, (at Gauge 630) of 4.6 m (7, = 15.1 sec) was 
measured earlier that morning at 0208 EST. There was 6 mm of precipitation. 


Atmospheric Pressure, mb 


Wind Speed, m/sec 


Wind Direction, Deg True N 


Wave Height, Hj, m 


Wave Period, T,, sec 


Wove Direction, Deg True N 


-204 
25 Water Level from NGVD, m 


Figure 31. Data for Hurricane Felix, 15-18 August 1995 


60 


Chapter 9 Storms 


18-20 August 1995 (Figure 32) 


Strong winds associated with the interaction of a Canadian high 
pressure system with the remnants of Hurricane Felix reached 14 m/sec (from 
northeast) at 1742 EST on 19 August. The maximum /#/,,, (at Gauge 630) 
reached 3.5 m (J, = 14.2 sec) at 1708 EST on 19 August. There was no 


precipitation. 


Atmospheric Pressure, mb Gauge 616 


Wind Speed, m/sec Gauge 932 


Wind Direction, Deg True N 


Wave Height, H,,5, ™ Gauge 630 


Gauge 3111 


Gauge 11 


AUGUST, 1995 


Figure 32. Data for 18-20 August 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


61 


28 August 1995 (Figure 33) 


A combination of a Canadian high pressure system and a low off the 
North Carolina coast produced onshore winds (from northeast) of 15 m/sec at 
1934 EST on 28 August. The maximum H,,, (at Gauge 625) reached 2.2 m 
(T, = 6.6 sec) at 1900 EST also on 28 August. There was 22 mm of 


precipitation. 


Atmospheric Pressure, mb 


Gauge 3111 


Water Level from NGVD, m Gouge 11 


oe a Oo oh ST 


-1 
29 30 


27 28 
AUGUST, 1995 


Figure 33. Data for 28 August 1995 storm 


62 Chapter 9 Storms 


19 September 1995 (Figure 34) 


Northeasterly winds associated with a Canadian high pressure system 
reached 13 m/sec at 1034 EST on 19 September. The maximum H,,, (at 
Gauge 625) of 2.1 m (J, = 8.26 sec) followed at 1108 EST. There was no 
precipitation during this event. 


1040- Atmospheric Pressure, mb Gauge 616 
1030- 
10204 
1010 
ell 
900d sp SSS eS es De ee | 


257 Wind Speed, m/sec Gauge 932 


Tas me Oe Te Tee Tec oa 
Wind Direction, Deg True N 


Wave Height, H,,5, m Gauge 625 


FF ETF I 
Wave Period, Tp, sec Gauge 625 


a a a a ea a a DT 
Wave Direction, Deg True N Gauge 3111 


Water Level from NGVD, m 


SEPTEMBER, 1995 


Figure 34. Data for 19 September 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


64 


23 September 1995 (Figure 35) 


Strong onshore winds were generated at the FRF preceding an 
advancing warm front. The maximum H,,, (at Gauge 625) of 2.1 m (7, = 6.9 
sec) was attained at 1000 EST on 23 September. Maximum winds (from the 
northeast) reached 15 m/sec earlier at0916 EST. There was no precipitation. 


1040- 


10304 


Atmospheric Pressure, mb 


Gauge 616 


1020 Se ees ae SE Ea 


10104 


10004 


CO a a a a a a oe ee ee 


Wind Direction, Deg True 


Wave Height, H,,,, m 


Gauge 933 


Gauge 625 


a eT TT TT 


Wave Period, T,, sec 


CSS SS Sea 


16075 


1004 


-1 


22 


Wove Direction, Deg True N 


Gauge 625 


Gauge 3111 


Water Level from NGVD, m 


ae ee 


Gauge 11 


23 
SEPTEMBER, 1995 


i Wate) Oe, /RNGTEN GEN JON 
~— Ss = 


24 25 


Figure 35. Data for 23 September 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


29-30 September 1995 (Figure 36) 


Northeasterly winds associated with a Canadian high pressure system 
reached 13 m/sec at 0434 EST on 30 September. The maximum H,,, (at Gauge 
625) was 2.1 m (T, = 9.5 sec) at 0542 also on 30 September. There was 


3 mm of precipitation. 


1040-5 Atmospheric Pressure, mb Gauge 616 


10505 


10204 


10105 


100074 
99 OF oot 


Wind Speed, m/sec Gauge 932 


Wind Direction, Deg True N 


Wave Height, H,,,, m Gauge 625 


Ce Dn De ne ee | 
Wave Period, T,, sec Gauge 625 


Wave Direction, Deg True N Gauge 3111 


Woter Level from NGVD, m Gauge 11 


SEPTEMBER, 1995 


Figure 36. Data for 29-30 September 1995 storm 


Chapter 9 Storms 


66 


References 


Bingham, C., Godfrey, M. D., and Tukey, J. W. (1967). "Modern 
techniques of power spectrum estimation." JEEE Trans. Audio 
Electroacoustics. AU-15, 56-66. 


Birkemeier, W. A., and Mason, C. (1984). "The CRAB: A unique 
nearshore surveying vehicle," Journal of Surveying Engineering, American 
Society of Civil Engineers, 110 (1). : 


Field Research Facility. (1995 (Jan-Dec)). "Preliminary data summary," 
Monthly Series, Coastal Engineering Research Center, U.S. Army Engineer 
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 


Gill, S. “NOAA’s next generation tide gauges.” http://www-.nbi.ac.uk/psms]/ 
gb1/noaa.html (1990). 


Grogg, W. E., Jr. (1986). "Calibration and stability characteristics of 
the Baylor Staff Wave Gage," Miscellaneous Paper CERC-86-7, U.S. Army 
Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 


Miller, H. C. (1980). “Instrumentation at CERC's Field Research Facility, 
Duck, North Carolina," CERC Miscellaneous Report 80-8, U.S. Army 
Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 


Miller, H. C., Birkemeier, W. A., and DeWall, A. E. (1983). "Effect of the 
CERC research pier on nearshore processes." Coastal Structures '83. 
American Society of Civil Engineers, Arlington, VA, 769-785. 


U.S. Department of Commerce. (1995). "Daily weather maps," Weekly Series, 
Washington, DC. 


Welch, P. D. (1967). "The use of Fast Fourier Transform for the estimation 
of power spectra: A method based on time averaging over short modified 
periodograms." IEEE Trans. Audio Electroacoustics. AE-15, 70-73. 


References 


Appendix A 
Survey Data 


Contour diagrams constructed from the bathymetric survey data are presented 
in this appendix. The profile lmes surveyed are identified on each diagram. 
Contours are in half-meter increments referenced to NGVD. The distance off- 
shore is referenced to the FRF monumentation baseline behind the dune. 


Changes in FRF bathymetry diagrams constructed by contouring the difference 
between two contour diagrams are also presented with contour intervals of 0.25 m. 
Wide contour lines show areas of erosion. Other areas correspond to areas of 
accretion. Although these change diagrams are based on considerable interpola- 
tion of the original survey data, they do facilitate comparison of the contour 
diagrams. 


Appendix A Survey Data 


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FRF Pier 
650 


SS 
x» 


Changes Since 
21 Apr 95 
(0.25 m Contours) 

FRF Pler 


oO 
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450 
Distance, m 


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Distance, m 


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Appendix A Survey Data 


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A8& 


Appendix B 
Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Wave data summaries for Gauge 630 for 1995 and for 1980 through 1995 are 
presented in the following pages: 


Daily H,,, and 7,, 


Figure B1 displays the individual wave height H,,, and peak spectral wave 
period T, values, along with the monthly mean values. 


Joint Distributions of H,,, and 7, 


Annual and monthly joint distribution tables are presented in Tables B1 and 
B2, and data for 1980 through 1995 are in Tables B3 and B4. Each table gives 
the frequency (in parts per 10,000) for which the wave height and peak period 
were within the specified intervals; these values can be converted to percent- 
ages by dividing by 100. Marginal totals are also included. The row total 
gives the number of observations out of 10,000 that fell within each specified 
peak period interval. The column total gives the number of observations out of 
10,000 that fell within each specified wave height interval. 


Cumulative Distributions of Wave Height 


Annual and monthly wave height distributions for 1995 are plotted in cu- 
mulative form in Figures B2 and B3. Data for 1980 through 1995 are plotted 
in Figure B4. 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


B1 


Peak Spectral Wave Period Distributions 


Annual and monthly peak wave period T, distribution histograms for 1995 
are presented in Figures BS and B6. Data for 1980 through 1995 are presented 
in Figure B7. 


Persistence of Wave Heights 


Table B5 shows the number of times in 1995 when the specified wave 
height was equaled or exceeded at least once during each day for the duration 
(consecutive days). Data for 1980 through 1995 are averaged and given in Ta- 
ble B6. An example is shown below: 


Height Consecutive Day(s) or Longer 
m 8 13 15 16 17 18 19+ 


24 21 18 14 
8 


0.5 
1.0 
1.5 
2.0 
2.5 
3.0 
3.5 
4.0 


This example indicates that wave heights equaled or exceeded 1.0 m 
50 times for at least 1 day; 34 times for at least 2 days; 24 times for at least 
3 days, etc. Therefore, on 16 occasions the height equaled or exceeded 1.0 m 
for 1 day exactly (50 - 34 = 16); on 10 occasions for 2 days; on 3 occasions 
for 3 days, etc. Note that the height exceeded 1 m 50 times for 1 day or lon- 
ger, while heights exceeded 0.5 m only 18 times for this same duration. This 
change in durations occurred because the longer durations of lower waves may 
be interspersed with shorter, but more frequent, intervals of higher waves. For 
example, one of the times that the wave heights exceeded 0.5 m for 16 days 
may have represented three times the height exceeded 1 m for shorter 
durations. 


Spectra 


Monthly spectra for the offshore Waverider buoy (Gauge 630) are present- 
ed in Figure B8. The plots show "relative" energy density as a function of 
wave frequency. These figures summarize the large number of spectra for each 


B2 
Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


month. The figures emphasize the higher energy density associated with 
storms, as well as the general shifts in energy density to different frequencies. 
As used here, "relative" indicates the spectra have been smoothed by the three- 
dimensional surface drawing routine. Consequently, extremely high- and low- 
energy density values are modified to produce a smooth surface. The figures 
are not intended for quantitative measurements; however, they do provide the 
energy density as a function of frequency relative to the other spectra for the 
month. 


Monthly and annual wave statistics for Gauge 630 for 1995 and for 1980 
through 1995 are presented in Table B7. 


Figure B9 plots monthly time-histories of wave height and period. 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


B3 


B4 


Wave Height, m 


Wave Period, sec 


Figure B1. 


OF al esate Ge aa iG Greases eae ean a7 aa nena ato ayes, U 


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


Year Mean, sec 
x— 1995 8.4 


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 
Month 


1995 daily wave height and period values with monthly means for Gauge 630 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B1 
Annual Joint Distribution of H,,, versus 7, 


Annual 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 


-49 22 
.99 22 
49 : 
-99 

49 

off) 

-49 

-99 

-00 -49 

-50 99) 

-00 - Greater 

Total 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 


UP PWWNNPRP OO 
PPWWNNPRP OO 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B2 
Monthly Joint Distribution of H,,, versus 7, 


January 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 13.9 


-49 5 - : 163 
-99 : 976 3 = 81 
-49 . > 163 569 9 5 - 6 

-99 . ° ° 2 

49 : cS 5 81 

-99 

49 

-99 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
.00 ~49 
-50 -99 
-00 - Greater 0 : 2 0 
Total 569 1707 


UP RWWNNPPOO 
PPWWNNHP OO 


February 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 13.9 _15.9 _Longer 


49 268 
99 
-49 
Eto,9) 
-49 
-99 
-49 
.99 
-00 -49 
-50 -99 
-00 - Greater 
Total 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 


PPWWNNRP POO 


0 
0 
1 
1 
2 
2 
3 
3 
4 
4 
5 


March 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
slab) aly ©) 


UPPWWNNPP OO 
PPWWNNH HOO 


167 1417 


(Continued) 
(Sheet 1 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B2 (Continued) 


April 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
abbas) alt}a©) 


83 167 o 
83 583 s00 167 


UP PWWNNPRP OO 
PPWWNNRPP OO 


May 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 13.9 


s65 1048 
242 887 
81 


QO. 0 
0. c¢) 
abe 1 
1. 1 
2, 2 
Zo 2 
Zo 3 
3. 3 
4. 4 
4. 4 
S. 


404 888 2580 323 1130 


June 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11-9 13.9 


167 5 : 
167 1333 6 167 
83 333 5 O 


UPPWWNNRPRPOO 
PPWWNNP POO 


250 1999 1500 


(Continued) 
(Sheet 2 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B2 (Continued) 


July 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 _13.9 _15.9 _Longer 


+49 : : : . ¢ 244 407 0 
399) 732 813 569 407 1057 1545 2927 81 
-49 2 5 d 81 Q } ° ° - 
2,9) 6 

49 

-99 

49 

-99 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 -49 
-50 -99 
.00 - Greater . . . . . 5 . . . 
Total 894 569 651 1057 1789 3334 


UP PWWNNPRP OO 
PPWWNNHPH OO 


August 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence(X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 13.9 _15.9 _Longer 


PPWWNNRPPRP OO 


0. 
0. 
Sh 
abo 
oy. 
2h 
3. 
3. 
4. 
4. 
5. 


September 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
TI9 S39) 


164 1311 . 
656 1639 1967 
492 


UP PWWNHNPRPOO 
PPWWNNPHOO 


820 3442 1967 


(Continued) 
(Sheet 3 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B2 (Concluded) 


October 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
stab ke) altye®) 


351 439 351 351 1754 1053 351 
263 702 877 526 263 439 
263 5 88 : 0 


UP RPWWNNPHP OO 
PPWWNNEPP OO 


614 1404 1228 965 2017 1492 351 


November 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
stat) _skeia®) 


-00 0.49 

-50 0.99 

-00 1.49 

-50 1.99 

-00 2.49 

-50 2.99 

-00 3.49 

-50 3.99 

-00 4.49 3 3 0 6 8 c 0 D - - 

-50 4.99 ¢ ° : 5 : 7 : O - 9 = 

-00 - Greater : ° : : - r a 
Total 169 1440 


i0} 
te) 
1 
1 
2 
2 
3 
3 
4 
4 
5 


December 1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 
10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
alah ok) —akzyn©) 


-00 

-50 

-00 

-50 

-00 

-50 

-00 49 

-50 -99 

-00 4.49 

-50 4.99 

.00 - Greater c 0 0 
Total 81 564 1049 


-49 
-99 
-49 
-99 
-49 
of) 


UP PWWNNPPRP OO 
WWNNrFROO 


Seen 


(Sheet 4 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


B9 


Table B3 
Annual Joint Distribution of H,,, versus 7, (All Years) 


Annual 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
flab of) _alt}©) 


PPWWNNP POO 


QO. 
O. 
aba 
ake 
Zi. 
2. 
3 
3% 
4. 
4. 
Sie 


Bue Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B4 
Monthly Joint Distribution of H,,, versus 7, (All Years) 


January 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
alak of) 


12 
12 
6 


6 


UBbADWWNNHPHOO 
PWWNNPHOO 


February 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 : 15.9 _Longer 


7 
7 


PWWNNHFPPOO 


oO. 
QO. 
a5 
abo 
2h 
ie 
Sle 
3. 
4. 
4. 
Sr 


March 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Height (m) Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 13.9 15.9 _Longer 


UP PRPWWNNRPHOO 
PWWNNPRPOO 


(Continued) 
(Sheet 1 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 B11 


B12 


Table B4 (Continued) 


Height (m) 


UP PWWNHNRPHPOO 


-00 
-50 
-00 
510) 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 


PPWWNNEPr OO 


Total 


-49 
~99 
-49 
99) 
-49 
99) 
-49 
-99 
-49 
-99 
Greater 


Height (m) 


QO. 
O. 
abe 
obo 
2. 
2. 
3. 
3. 
4. 
4. 
Sys 


PPWWNNRPP OO 


Height (m) 


UP PWWNNPRPPRP OO 


PRWWNNRPP OO 


April 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence(X100) of Height and Period 


Period(sec) 
10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
15.9 Longer 


11 


May 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
alah a&) ale3a© 


June 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Period(sec) 


Ee ee 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
aisha Sy atz} ae) 


1359 1555 


(Continued) 
(Sheet 2 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B4 (Continued) 


Height (m) 


UPR WWNNPHOO 
PPWWNNPRPOO 


520 


Height (m) 


266 
141 


0. 0 
QO. 0 
1. 1 
abo 1 
2. 2 
2. 2 
3. 3 
So 3 
4. 4 
4. 4 
5. 


Height (m) 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 -49 

-50 -99 

-00 - Greater 

Total 


-49 
-99 0 117 233 
-49 0 12 87 
-99 6 ° 12 
-49 
-99 
-49 
o£)f) 


UP PWWNNRPHOO 
PPWWNNEP OO 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


July 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
alzye&) 


148 46 


August 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
alabok) ott} 5©) 


28 


September 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence(X100) of Height and Period 


Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
13.9 


6 


6 
6 
6 


(Continued) 
(Sheet 3 of 4) 


B13 


B14 


Table B4 (Concluded) 


Height (m) 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 


UP PWWNNRPHP OO 
PPWWNNHPP OO 


Total 


49 
-99 
49 
-99 
-49 
-99 
-49 
-99 
49 
399 
-00 - Greater 


Height (m) 


QO. 
QO. 
aba 
1. 
26 
2. 
3. 
Ze 
4. 
4. 
Sr 


PWWNNRPOO 


Height (m) 


-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 
-00 
-50 


UP PWWNNPP OO 


Total 


-00 Greater 


31 
169 


October 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Period (sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
11.9 : 15.9 _Longer 


November 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence(X100) of Height and Period 


Period(sec) 


10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
bat) SlE}GE) SAE) suey eee 


19 
38 
19 

6 


December 1980-1995, Gauge 630 
Percent Occurrence (X100) of Height and Period 


Period(sec) 


EEE eS ee ee 


-O- 10.0- 12.0- 14.0- 16.0- 
alah at) 


6 

269 25 

194 3 
19 
13 


eee ee ee 


(Sheet 4 of 4) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


S 
ore 
ie 
2 

o 
aie 


TO 0 nanny] Tai ine Ti | 
Om 10° 10 
Percent Greater Than Indicated 


Figure B2. Annual cumulative wave height distributions for Gauge 630 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 B15 


Tan Ener 


fone Erne Se 


a 
qd 
| 


es 
peed | es 


Ww 


ifn nenenneneen 


i) 


1 


[e) 
i) 
tb 


10 10° 10 
Percent Greater Than Indicated 


[e) 


Figure B3. 1995 monthly wave height distributions for Gauge 630 


Bie Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


- 1) 


W 
hone nen een n 


4 


i 


W 


p 
po een nnn 1 


No 


Om 10° 10 
Percent Greater Than Indicated 


Figure B4. 1980-1995 monthly wave height distributions for Gauge 630 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


B17 


40- 
Gauge 625 i995) iI (Gatige! 625 1980-95 


205 aR 


|__ofGieee: ao_1__eogadaee_ 


40-5 = 
Gauge 630 1995} Gauge 630 1980-95 


20-4 


|_ oa@Agee2.0_}_ no B2e828 oo 


40 


Gauge 111 1995 Gauge 111 198595) 


__at@eodan_| .nbel Gen 


40 
| Gauge 641 Gauge 641 1980-95 


20 


Xx 
oO 
S) 
(S 
© 
= 
= 
=) 
) 
Oo 

o) 

—_ 
° 
> 
S 
= 
© 
=) 
on 
® 

uo 


(0) 


Aeasgeay?se 92 1B 
Period, sec 


Figure B5. Annual wave period distributions for all gauges 


Bie Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


405 


Jan 


204 mr y 
ees 


40-7 
Feb 


tie 
oJ _anlldedonn. 


4075 
Mar 


|__.20484i io 


4075 


20 


A 
207 


EZ eames 
|. be becan.. 


4075 


X 
oO 
) 
< 
® 
= 
Ss 
=) 
) 
O 

oO 

_— 
) 
> 
Ss) 
Ss 
® 
5 
> 
2 

fie 


May 


204 | Z 
uA Wino whp: 


] Jul j 
| G 
ade eae 


Aug 


| y : 
fe ae 
| Sep y 
Al 
ee a 


5 


Oct 


| ae Ar 
| -aleenden 


| ; 
|__ ofan _2 


Nea CAL 
910 12 14 16 
riod, sec 


Figure B6. 1995 monthly wave period distributions for Gauge 630 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


B19 


Jan 7 Ju 


1 AV Zi ! Le 
_oAfao8o._]_ odo 


Feb Aug 


| ml Z Ap 
| pfootlo |. anBelBd 


= 


ar | . 7 Sep b: 
__ntoeede | ..08e8eben_ 


Apr 4 Oct 


| aAaeleb noi _pAGeledon_ 


~ 
oO 
(6) 
(= 
oO 
ws 
tS 
=) 
Oo 
[S) 
ie) 
= 
e) 
> 
(S) 
(S 
oO 
=) 
oF 
2 
es 


May 1 Nov 


| Else ae 
|__ 3400870 


Figure B7. 1980-1995 monthly wave period distributions for Gauge 630 


B2 
9 Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Table B5 
1995 persistence of H,,, for Gauge 630 


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 atal ale als} alts lS 
6 4 


08) 
-0 
15) 
-0 
-5 
-0 
as) 
-0 


Table B6 
1980 through 1995 persistence of H,,,, for Gauge 630 


Height Consecutive Day(s) or Longer 
(m) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1) as te gD ab ah 2G 


19 aks} lal 10 9 8 7 6 5 
10 3 2 


PwWWnNDdNeP PO 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 B21 


B22 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


ZING 


ze 
Sh 


yy 


= | 


ar 


\ 


—— 


V7 
Dns 


S2 
So2 
ae. 


22> 
SeSsIN 
Sosse2 
sos 


Lye? 
Lf 


anerr 


NU, 


o> 


L? 
Ope 


is 
va 
ee 
ea 
Lol 
oh 
i | "\ 


gy 


N 


LITT I 


Figure B8. 1995 monthly spectra for Gauge 630 (Sheet 1 of 6) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


re WS 

a >. 
ff we 
Seay LYN 

we 


wg oa 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


ASS 


Ses 
cose 
Ssessee 
SSE cook 
SSF LS 
<<2 a, Res 
= ape 22 
a SS 


Figure B8. (Sheet 2 of 6) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 B23 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


“<< 
Ssce 22 Roc oS 
SSSes co <7 a 
SS SSeS ose [7 
sees Lf ALL 
So ree SALLI TTT] 
22 Soe —— 


Figure B8. (Sheet 3 of 6) 


Bat Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


SA 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


N 


ay 


Soe 
Sse2 


Poses 
2SsceSee 
CeSScoesss 
<L2es5 Soe, 
255252255 
Lose5 
cesses 
22 


rr 
SoS 
LOSS 
22 


Figure B8. (Sheet 4 of 6) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 B25 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


Figure B8. (Sheet 5 of 6) 


Bz6 Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


AVE GA 
199s CE 830 


rae 
STR ea 
Sq Be ml Le 
oF S277 i , 
HH 


Spell 


ip 


is 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


327) 
tes 


RELATIVE ENERGY DENSITY 


V/ C27 
L| 


SSS 


Figure B8. (Sheet 6 of 6) 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 B27 


Table B7 
Wave statistics for Gauge 630 


1995 1980-1995 
Height Period Height Period 
Std. 0 Std. Std. 
Mean Dev. Extreme G Mean Dev. Extreme Mean Dev. Number 
Obs. 


1619 
1464 
1811 
1790 
1837 
1717 
1752 
1768 
1715 
1843 
1588 
1599 


WHANIWRPONDH PH 


PR 
DNOMHOMRIMPM® IMP I] 


owNI oONIUMNPNHN YH HY 


CROWN IWLMWNON 
SOOO OOOO O COO Oo 
UNwW PON PPh HU 
NNNN PPP PNND Ww 
UIP UOHWAwWYDW 
PNNNNNNNHWNDN W 
w©IUuWONOMNWIO 
PeRERPHOOOOrRPKREH PR 
NPNPOMWYBAWOCNNN 
ceooeceoeoea OOOO 
OBYIIYANAUH HY PU HIYA A 
UNUN DPF NNWU PU A 
DRPPPNPIMR CYR WY 
oO OO MD} OO MM Ow 
NNNNNNNNNNNDN 


ZT. 
abo 
abo 
0 
0 
0 
te) 
1 
1 
ake 
1 
abe 


6.1 Sep 1985 8.3 2.6 20503 


B28 Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


Appendix B Wave Data for Gauge 630 


4 

NM Re INN 

(jl NN SEEN ey 
ie ne Pe ih 
2-4 

pie Ad NS SSSI dE SS 
yal Mar Sep 

PE SOS ta 7a Geneseo CR Opel oe Ee oe as 

pe ea Sr 
ad Apr Oct 


Q 
< 
ie) 
< 


13937 9 WIS WW Alesse e7 a9 1 8 SY O18 18 WD Al 82S 7 OD) oh 
Day of the Month 


4 Jan Jul 
4 Feb Aug 


SSB7 9 NW RY © 2282779 18 8 7 © NW W 212925 27 2 Bi 
Day of the Month 


Figure B9. Time-histories of wave height and period for Gauge 630 


B29 


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REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE ee 
| 


. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS 
Annual Data Summary for 1995 CHL Field Research Facility; Volume I: 
Main Text and Appendixes A and B; Volume II: Appendixes C Through E 


. AUTHOR(S) 


| 
| 
| 
| 
Michael W. Leffler, Clifford F. Baron, Brian L. Scarborough, Paul R. Hodges, | 
C. Ray Townsend 


|7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 
U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station REPORT NUMBER 
3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 Technical Report CHL-98-14 


19. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING/MONITORING 


U.S. Army Corps of En gineers AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 


Washington, DC 20314-1000 


11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 
Available from National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. 


}12a. DISTRIBUTIONWAVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE 


Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 


13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words) 


This report provides basic data and summaries for measurements made during 1995 at the U.S. Army Engineer 
Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory’s (CHL’s) Field Research Facility 
(FRF) in Duck, NC. The report includes comparisons of the present year’s data with cumulative statistics from 
1980 to the present. 


Summarizes in this report are meteorological and oceanographic data, monthly bathymetric survey results, sam- 
ples of biannual aerial photography, and descriptions of 10 storms that occurred during the year. The year was high- 
lighted by Hurricane Felix, which impacted the North Carolina coast on 15-18 August. 

This report is the 17th in a series of annual summaries of data at the FRF that began with Miscellaneous report 
CERC-82-16, which summarizes data collected during 1977-1979. These reports are available from the WES Tech- 
nical Report Distribution Section of the Information Technology Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS. 


. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES | 
Meteorologic research—statistics (LC) an. | 
Oceanographic research—statistics (LC) nESIPRICE CODE 
Oceanographic research stations—North Carolina—Duck (LC) Cae 
Water waves—statistics 

| 
| 


- SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION |20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT | 
OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT 


UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 


NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89) 
Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39-18 
298-102 


Teese 


Destroy this report when no longer needed. Do not return it to the originator.