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Datums Page Page 1 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
To reach the tidal bench marks from the intersection of 17 south and 74 East in
Wilmington, proceed east on 74 east for 8.0 km (5.0 mi) toward Wrightsville
Beach, once over the drawbridge bear left on 74E to the intersection of Lumina
Avenue and East Salisbury Street, continue through the light to the end of the
street to Johnny Mercers Fishing Pier. The bench marks are located on East
Salisbury Street and extend down N. Lumina Ave. The tide gauge is located on the
offshore end of the pier.
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
PRIMARY BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8163 A 2004
DESIGNATION: 865 8163 A
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 17624
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) IDB PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stainless steel rod in sleeve OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.9' N ( 34.21500) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.4' W ( -77.79000)
The primary bench mark is a disk located at the east end of East Salisbury
Street in the sand on the south side of the walkway to Johnny Mercers Fishing
Pier, 16.74 m (54.9 ft) NE of the NW corner of the public restrooms, 3.95 m
(13.0 ft) SE of the south rail of the walkway, 2.86 m (9.4 ft) east of a NOAA
witness post, and 2.70 m (8.9 ft) east of the southern leg of the sign for the
Johnny Mercers Fishing Pier. The bench mark is set 0.3 m (1 ft) below the sand,
crimped to the top of a stainless steel rod driven 21.6 m (71 ft) to refusal,
encased in a 1.0 m (3.2 ft) grease sleeve with aluminum access cover and
concrete kickblock.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 2 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8163 B 2004
DESIGNATION: 865 8163 B
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 17625
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) IDB PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete pier deck OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
The benchmark is a disk set flush in the concrete deck of the Johnny Mercer
Fishing Pier, near the offshore end of the pier, 18.6 m (61.0 ft) NNW of the
south end of the pier, 7.79 m (25.6 ft) west of the east side of the pier, and
7.76 m (25.5 ft) east of the west side of the pier.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8163 C 2004
DESIGNATION: 865 8163 C
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 17626
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) IDB PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete pier deck OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
The benchmark is a disk set flush in the concrete deck of the Johnny Mercer
Fishing Pier, near the center of the pier, approximately 96.41 m (316.3 ft)
south of the south side of the pier house, 12.48 m (40.9 ft) SSE of the 5th
light pole south of the pier house, 5.65 m (18.54 ft) NNW of the 6th light pole
south of the pier house, and 3.22 (10.6 ft) NE of the SW side of the pier.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 3 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: PIER NO 1 1962
DESIGNATION: PIER RM 1
MONUMENTATION: Reference Mark disk VM#: 17627
AGENCY: National Geodetic Survey (NGS) IDB PID#: EA3649
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete monument OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.9' N ( 34.21500) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.4' W ( -77.79000)
The benchmark is a disk set flush in a concrete monument in the center of a
concrete median strip, 34.20 m (112.2 ft) west of the NW corner of the public
restrooms, 2.75 m (9.0 ft) east of a light pole number ABD74Q, and 1.54 m (5.0
ft) SSW of the north curb of the median strip.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 4 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: C 163 1963
DESIGNATION: C 163
MONUMENTATION: Bench Mark disk VM#: 17628
AGENCY: National Geodetic Survey (NGS) IDB PID#: EA0631
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Copper clad steel rod OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.7' N ( 34.21169) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.6' W ( -77.79331)
The benchmark is a disk located at the junction of North Lumina Avenue and
Raleigh Street, 6.86 m (22.5 ft) SE of the centerline of the avenue, 6.71 m
(22.0 ft) SW of the centerline of the street, 77.66 m (254.8 ft) NE of benchmark
D 163 1963, 12.37 m (40.6 ft) NW of the NW corner of a frame house, and 0.31 m
(1.0 ft) SW of a power line pole with two transformers. The bench mark is
crimped to the top of a copper coated steel rod, projecting 2 inches above the
level of the ground and protected by a 3 inch tile which projects 3 inches above
the level of the ground, and driven to a depth of 14.6 m (48 ft) to refusal.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 5 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: D 163 1963
DESIGNATION: D 163
MONUMENTATION: Bench Mark disk VM#: 17629
AGENCY: National Geodetic Survey (NGS) IDB PID#: EA0630
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Copper clad steel rod OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.6' N ( 34.21000) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.7' W ( -77.79500)
The benchmark is a disk located at the junction of North Lumina Avenue and
Charlotte Street, 7.10 m (23.29 ft) NW of the center line of the avenue, 7.93 m
(26.02 ft) SW of the centerline of the street, 77.66 m (254.8 ft) SW of
benchmark C 163 1963, 19.51 m (64.0 ft) SE of the east corner of a house at NO.
207, 35.05 m (115.0 ft) north of and across the avenue from NO 3 1923, 0.24 m
(0.8 ft) NE of a board fence, and 0.24 m (0.8 ft) SW of a power line pole. The
bench mark is crimped to the top of a copper coated steel rod, projecting 4
inches above the level of the ground and protected by a 3-inch tile which
projects 4 inches above the level of the ground, and driven to a depth of 15.8 m
(52 ft) to refusal.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 6 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: PIER NO 2 1962
DESIGNATION: PIER RM 2
MONUMENTATION: Reference Mark disk VM#: 17630
AGENCY: National Geodetic Survey (NGS) IDB PID#: EA3650
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete median OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.9' N ( 34.21500) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.4' W ( -77.79000)
The benchmark is a disk set flush in a concrete monument in the center of a
concrete median strip, 22.71 m (74.5 ft) south of a fire hydrant, 21.15 m (69.4
ft) east of a light pole number ABD72Q, and 8.51 m (27.9 ft) NNE of the
centerline of the south lane of the street.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: NO 4 1923
DESIGNATION: 865 8163 TIDAL 4
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 18218
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey
(USC&GS) IDB PID#: EA0628
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete monument OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.6' N ( 34.21000) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.7' W ( -77.79500)
The bench mark is a disk set flush in the top of a concrete monument 0.61 m (2.0
ft) below the level of the ground, at the intersection of North Lumina Avenue
and North Atlanta Street, west of the south corner of a concrete wall around a
yard, encased in a 0.3 m (1 ft) diameter concrete kick block with 5 inch PVC
Pipe and access cover, 34.75 m (114 ft) WSW of bench mark NO 3 1923, 16.00 m
(52.5 ft) NW of the fire plug on the east side of Lumina Street, 14.63 m (48.0
ft) SW of the south corner of the house facing Atlanta Street, 8.08 m (26.5 ft)
NW of the centerline of Lumina Avenue, and 7.32 m (24 ft) NE of the centerline
of Atlanta Street.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 7 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: NCGS 10 1994
DESIGNATION: NCGS 10
MONUMENTATION: Cap-and-Bolt VM#: 18219
AGENCY: US Army Corps of Engineers (USE) IDB PID#: DG8630
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Beach sand dunes OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.5' N ( 34.20831) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.7' W ( -77.79500)
The bench mark is a disk set in the sand dunes of the beach recessed about 18 cm
(0.6 ft) below the ground, at the east end of Oceanic Avenue, 25.40 m (83.3 ft)
east of the SE corner of apartment building No. 24, 24.20 m (79.4 ft) SE of the
NE corner of the apartment building, 22.0 m (72.2 ft) SSE of the centerline of
the east end of Oceanic Avenue, and 0.3 m (1 ft) north of a witness post.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: NO 7 1974
DESIGNATION: 865 8163 TIDAL 7
MONUMENTATION: Traverse Station disk VM#: 18998
AGENCY: NOS IDB PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: sidewalk OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 34° 12.5' N ( 34.20833) LONGITUDE: 77° 47.7' W ( -77.79500)
The bench mark is located at Wrightsville beach along N. Lumina avenue near the
intersection of N. Lumina avenue and E. Atlanta St, set flush in the sidewalk
25.5 ft (7.8 m) south of the centerline of east Atlanta St, 22.6 ft (6.9 m) west
of the northwest corner of a porch of a house at 106 N. Lumina avenue, and 21.6
ft (6.6 m) east of N. Lumina ave.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 8 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
T I D A L D A T U M S
Tidal datums at WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH based on:
LENGTH OF SERIES: 9 YEARS
TIME PERIOD: 10/04-9/08, 9/09-8/11, 6/12-5/13, 10/13-9/15
TIDAL EPOCH: 1983-2001
CONTROL TIDE STATION: 8656483 BEAUFORT, DUKE MARINE LAB
Elevations of tidal datums referred to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), in METERS:
HIGHEST OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (10/04/2015) = 2.263
MEAN HIGHER HIGH WATER MHHW = 1.366
MEAN HIGH WATER MHW = 1.261
North American Vertical Datum NAVD88 = 0.827
MEAN SEA LEVEL MSL = 0.658
MEAN TIDE LEVEL MTL = 0.655
MEAN LOW WATER MLW = 0.048
MEAN LOWER LOW WATER MLLW = 0.000
LOWEST OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (01/08/2009) = -0.806
North American Vertical Datum (NAVD88)
Bench Mark Elevation Information In METERS above:
Stamping or Designation MLLW MHW
8163 A 2004 4.262 3.001
8163 B 2004 8.119 6.858
8163 C 2004 8.154 6.893
PIER NO 1 1962 3.396 2.135
C 163 1963 3.056 1.795
D 163 1963 2.605 1.344
PIER NO 2 1962 2.812 1.551
NO 4 1923 2.069 0.808
NCGS 10 1994 4.599 3.338
NO 7 1974 2.206 0.945
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 9 of 9
Station ID: 8658163 PUBLICATION DATE: 09/13/2017
Name: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
NC
NOAA Chart: 11539 Latitude: 34° 12.8' N ( 34.21331)
USGS Quad: WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Longitude: 77° 47.2' W ( -77.78669)
D E F I N I T I O N S
Mean Sea Level (MSL) is a tidal datum determined over a 19-year National Tidal
Datum Epoch. It pertains to local mean sea level and should not be confused
with the fixed datums of North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88).
NAVD88 is a fixed datum derived from a simultaneous, least squares, minimum
constraint adjustment of Canadian/Mexican/United States leveling observations.
Local mean sea level observed at Father Point/Rimouski, Canada was held fixed as
the single initial constraint. NAVD88 replaces NGVD29 as the national
standard geodetic reference for heights. Bench mark elevations relative to
NAVD88 are available from NGS through the World Wide Web at
National Geodetic Survey.
NGVD29 is a fixed datum adopted as a national standard geodetic reference for
heights but is now considered superseded. NGVD29 is sometimes referred to as
Sea Level Datum of 1929 or as Mean Sea Level on some early issues of Geological
Survey Topographic Quads. NGVD29 was originally derived from a general
adjustment of the first-order leveling networks of the U.S. and Canada after
holding mean sea level observed at 26 long term tide stations as fixed.
Numerous local and wide-spread adjustments have been made since establishment in
1929. Bench mark elevations relative to NGVD29 are available from the National
Geodetic Survey (NGS) data base via the World Wide Web at
National Geodetic Survey.
NAVD88 and NGVD29 are fixed geodetic datums whose elevation relationships to
local MSL and other tidal datums may not be consistent from one location to
another.
The Vertical Mark Number (VM#) and PID# shown on the bench mark sheet are unique
identifiers for bench marks in the tidal and geodetic databases, respectively.
Each bench mark in either database has a single, unique VM# and/or PID# assigned.
Where both VM# and PID# are indicated, both tidal and geodetic elevations are
available for the bench mark listed. The NGS's Integrated Data Base (IDB PID)
provides geodetic datum based on traditionally leveled and bluebooked ties to
the National Spatial Reference System(NSRS) https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/datasheets/.
The NGS Online Positioning User Service (OPUS PID) provides geodetic datum based
on GPS position & tie it to the NSRS https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/OPUS/.
The NAVD88 elevation is shown on the Elevations of Tidal Datums Table Referred
to MLLW only when two or more of the bench marks listed have NAVD88 elevations.
The NAVD88 elevation relationship shown in the table is derived from an average
of several bench mark elevations relative to tide station datum. As a result of
this averaging, NAVD88 bench mark elevations computed indirectly from the tidal
datums elevation table may differ slightly from NAVD88 elevations listed for
each bench mark in the NGS database.
Station Location
Published bench mark
Unpublished bench mark
