U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Datums Page Page 1 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
To reach the tidal bench marks from the north toll booth of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge Tunnel, proceed 5.1 km (3.2 mi) north on U.S. Route 13 to its
intersection with State Road 704, then turn left and go 1.9 km (1.2 mi) west on
State Road 704 through the Kiptopeake State Park entrance to the end of the road
at the old ferry terminal. The bench marks are located around the parking lot
and along State Road 704. The tide gage and staff are on the SE end of the
wharf.
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 2 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
PRIMARY BENCH MARK STAMPING: L 418 1963
DESIGNATION: L 418
MONUMENTATION: Bench Mark disk VM#: 476
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey
(USC&GS) IDB PID#: FW0303
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Copper-clad steel rod OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 37° 10.1' N ( 37.16830) LONGITUDE: 75° 59.1' W ( -75.98500)
The primary bench mark is a disk located along the north side of State Road 704,
0.5 km (0.30 mi) west of the entrance to Kiptopeke State Park, 32.61 m (107.0
ft) NE of the NE corner of the most northerly of 2 toll booths, 15.54 m (51.0
ft) north of the center line of the north lane of the road, 3.66 m (12.0 ft)
west of the SW corner fence post for a chain link fence around a small power
substation, and 0.37 m (1.2 ft) north of a metal witness post. The bench mark is
set 0.03 m (0.10 ft) below ground, crimped to a copper-clad steel rod driven
12.2 m (40.0 ft) to refusal, and encased in a clay pipe. Note...the edge of the
bench mark disk has been bent, but the mark still holds elevation.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 3 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: NO 4 1958
DESIGNATION: TIDAL 4 STA 16
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 479
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey
(USC&GS) IDB PID#: FW0304
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete foundation OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 37° 10.1' N ( 37.16830) LONGITUDE: 75° 59.1' W ( -75.98500)
The bench mark is a disk set in the east end of the old toll booth foundation at
the entrance to the old ferry terminal, 14.33 m (47.0 ft) NE of the first light
pole north of the Park Service Building, 8.38 m (27.5 ft) NW of the NW corner of
the building, and 0.46 m (1.5 ft) above ground.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 2200 B 1980
DESIGNATION: 863 2200 B
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 482
AGENCY: National Ocean Survey (NOS) IDB PID#: AJ4588
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stainless steel rod OPUS PID#: AJ4588
LATITUDE: 37° 10.1' N ( 37.16830) LONGITUDE: 75° 59.2' W ( -75.98670)
The bench mark is a disk located on the north side of State Road 704 in the
Kiptopeke State Park, 33.22 m (109.0 ft) east of the easterly of two bath
houses, 13.72 m (45.0 ft) NNW of a light pole in a grass median, 6.86 m (22.5
ft) NNW of the centerline of the road, 1.21 m (4.0 ft) south of a red sand
fence, and 1.07 m (3.5 ft) SSE of a NOAA witness post. The bench mark is 0.05 m
(0.2 ft) above grade, crimped to a stainless steel rod driven 11.0 m (36 ft) to
refusal, and encased in a 5-inch PVC pipe with concrete kickblock.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 4 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 2200 E 1980
DESIGNATION: 863 2200 E
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 485
AGENCY: National Ocean Survey (NOS) IDB PID#:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stainless steel rod OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 37° 10.1' N ( 37.16825) LONGITUDE: 75° 59.1' W ( -75.98419)
The bench mark is a disk located on the south side of State Road 704 near the
entrance to the parking lot, 26.52 m (87.0 ft) ESE of the last light pole in the
median, 22.71 m (74.5 ft) SW of the center of a large sign for Kiptopeke Bird
Banding Station, 16.61 m (54.5 ft) east of a wood telephone booth, 12.80 m (42.0
ft) SE of the south edge of State Road 704 leading out of the parking lot, and
0.73 m (2.4 ft) SE of a NOAA witness post. The bench mark is 0.10 m (0.3 ft)
above ground, crimped to a stainless steel rod driven 11.0 m (36 ft) to refusal,
and encased in a 6-inch PVC pipe with concrete kickblock.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 2200 F 1989
DESIGNATION: 863 2200 F
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 486
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) IDB PID#:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stainless steel rod OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 37° 10.2' N ( 37.17047) LONGITUDE: 75° 58.9' W ( -75.98164)
The bench mark is a disk crimped to a stainless steel rod, located 0.3 km (0.2
mi) west of the entrance to the Kiptopeke State Park Camp Ground between
campsite numbers 34 and 36, 73.1 m (240 ft) NW of the intersection of State Road
704 and Florida Avenue, 12.19 m (40.0 ft) west of Florida Avenue, 12.19 m (40.0
ft) west of Florida Avenue, 7.77 m (25.5 ft) SE of the centerline of Dutton
Lane, and 0.40 m (1.3 ft) SE of a NOAA witness post. The bench mark is crimped
to a stainless steel rod driven 14.6 m (48 ft) to refusal, and encased in a 5
inch PVC pipe and concrete kickblock.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 5 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 2200 H 1992
DESIGNATION: 863 2200 H
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 13830
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) IDB PID#:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stainless steel rod OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 37° 10.1' N ( 37.16894) LONGITUDE: 75° 59.0' W ( -75.98317)
The bench mark is a disk located in the east end of the grass median at the
entrance to the parking lot, 7.32 m (24.0 ft) SW of a NOAA witness post and
"KEEP RIGHT" sign, 6.86 m (22.5 ft) NE of the easternmost light pole in the
median, and 2.13 m (7.0 ft) SE of the edge of the road. The bench mark is 0.10 m
(0.3 ft) below ground, crimped to the end of a stainless steel rod driven 8.5 m
(28 ft) to refusal, and encased in a 5 inch PVC pipe with concrete kickblock.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 2200 K 2002
DESIGNATION: 863 2200 K
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 17015
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) IDB PID#:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete bulkhead cap OPUS PID:
LATITUDE: 37° 9.9' N ( 37.16494) LONGITUDE: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98856)
The bench mark is a disk set in the surface of a 1 m X 2 m (3 ft X 5 ft)
concrete bulkhead cap located in the immediate vicinity of the NOS Aquatrak
stilling well, 11.72 m (38.5 ft) west of the east corner of the pier, 10.60 m
(34.8 ft) east of the west corner of the pier, 6.05 m (19.8 ft) south of the SE
corner of the NOS gage enclosre, 0.75 m (2.5 ft) north of the NOS enclosure, and
0.50 m (1.6 ft) north of the south edge of the bulkhead cap.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 6 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
T I D A L D A T U M S
Tidal datums at KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY based on:
LENGTH OF SERIES: 19 YEARS
TIME PERIOD: January 1983 - December 2001
TIDAL EPOCH: 1983-2001
CONTROL TIDE STATION:
Elevations of tidal datums referred to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), in METERS:
HIGHEST OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (03/08/1962) = 2.156
MEAN HIGHER HIGH WATER MHHW = 0.896
MEAN HIGH WATER MHW = 0.827
North American Vertical Datum NAVD88 = 0.580
MEAN SEA LEVEL MSL = 0.434
MEAN TIDE LEVEL MTL = 0.430
MEAN LOW WATER MLW = 0.033
MEAN LOWER LOW WATER MLLW = 0.000
LOWEST OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (01/11/1978) = -0.773
North American Vertical Datum (NAVD88)
Bench Mark Elevation Information In METERS above:
Stamping or Designation MLLW MHW
L 418 1963 2.988 2.161
NO 4 1958 3.303 2.476
2200 B 1980 3.018 2.192
2200 E 1980 3.203 2.377
2200 F 1989 10.594 9.768
2200 H 1992 4.263 3.436
2200 K 2002 2.892 2.066
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 7 of 7
Station ID: 8632200 PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/2004
Name: KIPTOPEKE, CHESAPEAKE BAY
VA
NOAA Chart: 12224 Latitude: 37° 10.0' N ( 37.16670)
USGS Quad: TOWNSEND Longitude: 75° 59.3' W ( -75.98830)
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.