DATUM TRANSFER IN HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING

Method of Obtaining Sounding Datum

Three methods are available, in order of preference:

a) Using established Tide Gauge Bench Marks (Recovery)
~ Level of Chart Datum below the established Bench Marks is
usually known.
~ Run levelling line to the new tide gauge station.

b) Transfer of Datum by Simultaneous Tides Observation

~ For new survey area not in the vacinity of the existing
datum.

c) Establish a New Datum Observations

~ the ideal period of tide observation is 19 years.
a) Using Established Tide Gauge Bench Marks (Recovery)

Tidal datums were established from the

tide observations for a period of time.
A primary control station is
one at which continuous
observations have been
made over a minimum of
19 years. The data series
from this station serves as
a primary control for the
reduction of relatively short
series from subordinate MSL
stations through the LAT
method of comparison of
simultaneous observations.

A secondary control tide station is a subordinate tide station at which

continuous observations have been made over a minimum of one year
but less than 19 years.
In order that they may be recovered when needed, such datums are
referenced to fixed point known as Tide Gauge Bench Mark or Bench
Mark.

tide gauge
station precise
level

TGBM
Chart Datum

4
 TBM1 TBM2

TGBM
TBM3

A land benchmark is used as the primary reference point. A bench mark is

a fixed physical object or mark used as a reference for vertical datums. A
tidal bench mark is a mark near a tide station to which the tidal datums are
referenced. A network of bench marks (3 to 5) is an integral part of every
water level measurement station.
5
Example 1
5.284 BM K1464

EHW (July, 1996) 3.960

MHWS 3.570
MHWN 2.650
MSL 2.206
LSD 2.128
MLWN 1.890
MLWS 0.950
Chart Datum 0.430
Zero Tide Gauge 0.000

Tidal Datum Elevations (m)

Datum Transfer by Differential Leveling
Leveling is used to determine the relationship between bench
mark and a tide pole (where is the datum along the pole).

BM J32

?
4.854m
Chart Datum = 4.854m
below BMJ32
zero tide pole

example: datum is 4.854m below BM J32

7
 CP1 Tide Pole
CP2

BM6
RL= 4.446m above CD

Chart Datum
Tide Correction 1
TIME OBSERVED CORRECTION FINAL
READING
observed 10.00 1.89 - 0.268 1.622
10.10 1.69 - 0.268 1.422
final 10.20 1.52 - 0.268 1.252
10.30 1.38 - 0.268 1.112
10.40 1.22 - 0.268 0.952

0.268 10.50 1.17 - 0.268 0.902

11.00 1.06 - 0.268 0.792
11.10 1.03 - 0.268 0.762
11.20 0.97 - 0.268 0.702
As the tide pole is 11.30 0.95 - 0.268 0.682
established 0.268 m
11.40 0.94 - 0.268 0.672
below the chart datum,
11.50 0.96 - 0.268 0.692
all the observed
12.00 0.99 - 0.268 0.722
readings must be
corrected with this 12.10 1.03 - 0.268 0.762
amount, that is 12.20 1.08 - 0.268 0.812
– 0.268 m. 12.30 1.14 - 0.268 0.872
 Tide Correction 2 TIME OBSERVED CORRECTION FINAL
READING
Tide can be observed 10.00 1.89 4.588 2.70
using measuring tape 10.10 1.69 4.588 2.88
from a TBM established 10.20 1.52 4.588 3.06
at the tide station. 10.30 1.38 4.588 3.21
10.40 1.22 4.588 3.33
10.50 1.17 4.588 3.44
TBM 11.00 1.06 4.588 3.52
11.10 1.03 4.588 3.58
observed 11.20 0.97 4.588 3.62
4.588 11.30 0.95 4.588 3.64
11.40 0.94 4.588 3.65
correction 11.50 0.96 4.588 3.63
LSD 12.00 0.99 4.588 3.60
12.10 1.03 4.588 3.56
12.20 1.08 4.588 3.51
Example: 4.588 – 1.89 12.30 1.14 4.588 3.47
= 2.70
b) Transfer of Datum by Simultaneous Tides Observation
From time to time, you will find there is no convenient bench mark
(tide station) within or adjacent to the survey area which to level
and establish the sounding datum, in which case you should
endeavour to transfer datum from the nearest convenient port
(established tide station) provided it is not too far away.
Regarding that distance, there are no hard and fast rules but you
should carefully consider the following points:

a) Are the meteorological conditions likely to be the same at

each gauge/pole
b) Is the new station free from ‘river effect’ or impounding?

c) Are the tidal characteristics at the 2 stations similar?

 established
tide station

new
station
survey
area
established
tide gauge survey
station area
Other General Considerations

~ change datum if tidal range differ by 0.5 m

~ type of tide is the same at reference and secondary

sites.
~ same tidal cycle is used at both sites for comparison;
best at Spring

~ only observed tidal heights are used

~ tide curves at 2 sites are similar in shape, although differ

in range and arrival time
 - same meteorological conditions?
- free from ‘river effect’ or impounding?
- tidal characteristics at the 2 stations similar?
If the answer is YES, then we can proceed with a this method
of datum transfer.

Before carrying any transfer, you must ascertain the ‘character’ of

the tide. At no places in the world is the tide exactly the same but
tides are considered as being one of two categories:

a) Where the tide is mainly ‘semi-diurnal’

b) Where the tide is mainly ‘diurnal’
This considerations determine the method of transferring datum,
as described below.
 Semi-diurnal Tide Diurnal Tide

In Figure 1, the graph on the left shows a “semi-diurnal” tide. The

subsequent highs and lows are very similar. The graph on the right
shows a “diurnal” tide. There are large differences between subsequent
highs and or lows. No tide is completely “semi-diurnal” or “diurnal”, but
is a combination of the two. In order to determine the proper method to
transfer your chart datum, you will have to make a decision whether
your local tide is primarily “semi-diurnal” or “diurnal”.
a) Semi-Diurnal Method of Transfer

This method relies totally on the assumption that Mean Sea

Level is the same at both stations. Tide observation should be
carried out near SPRINGS. By transferring at SPRING, the
relative effects of any abnormal weather conditions will be
minimal compared to the range of tide.

Observations are required over 4 Low Waters and 3 intervening

High Waters.

Therefore, from the diagram, it will be seen that:

i) Where ‘True Spring ML’ at established station is known

 Comparing Observed Water Levels
at Two Tide Gauges

R Observed Mean Level

r
True Spring Mean Level
MI
M

d
established
station new
What is d? station
‘True Spring ML’ at established
station is known 5.284 BM K1464

EHW (July, 1996) 3.960

MHWS 3.570
2.650
2.206
True Spring
Mean Level 2.128
1.890
MLWS M 0.950
Chart Datum 0.430
Zero Tide Gauge 0.000

Tidal Datum Elevations (m)

ii) Where the true spring mean level is not known, this
formula reduces to:
Multiplying ‘Factor’ in the Table
At Established Station At New Station
High above Chart Contributions High above Chart Contributions
Datum For Datum For
High Low Factor HW LW High Low Factor HW LW
water water Water water
- 1 - 1
- 1 - 1
- 3 - 3
- 2 - 2
- 3 - 3
- 1 - 1
- 1 - 1

Sums of contributions
Observations are required over 4 Low Waters and 3 intervening High
Waters. b f
d
mean level

a c e g

b, d, f ~ high water
a, c, e, g ~ low water
By considering of 2 high waters and 2 low waters:
a + b + c + d
b + c + d + e
c + d + e + f
d + e + f + g
multiplying
Total = a + 2b + 3c + 4d + 3e + 2f + g ‘factor’

The mean level can be determined by dividing the ‘total’ with 16

 Total = a + 2b + 3c + 4d + 3e + 2f + g

Therefore the MHW = 2b + 4d + 2f

8
= b + 2d + f
4

Therefore the MLW = a + 3e + 3c + g

8
At Established Station At New Station
High above Chart Contributions High above Chart Contributions
Datum For Datum For
High Low Factor HW LW High Low Factor HW LW
water water Water water
- 0.000 1 0.00 - 1.24 1 1.24
2.26 - 1 2.26 3.20 - 1 3.20
- 1.23 3 3.69 - 2.17 3 6.51
2.60 - 2 5.20 3.89 - 2 7.78
- 0.07 3 0.21 - 1.32 3 3.96
2.22 - 1 2.22 3.18 - 1 3.18
- 1.25 1 1.25 - 2.21 1 2.21

Sums of contributions 9.68 5.15 14.16 13.92

At Established Station

Observed MHW = sum of HW contributions ÷ 4

9.68
= = 2.42 m
4
Observed MLW = sum of LW contributions ÷ 8
= 5.15 = 0.64 m
8

Obs. Mean Range (R) = obs. MHW – obs. MLW

= 2.42 – 0.64 = 1.78 m

Obs. Mean Level (M′) = (obs. MHW + obs. MLW) ÷ 2

= (2.42 + 0.64)/2 = 1.53 m
At New Station
Observed MHW = sum of HW contributions ÷ 4
= 3.54 m
Observed MLW = sum of LW contributions ÷ 8
= 1.74 m

Obs. Mean Range (r) = obs. MHW – obs. MLW

= 3.54 – 1.74 = 1.80 m

Obs. Mean Level (m′) = (obs. MHW + obs. MLW) ÷ 2

= (3.54 +1.74)/2 = 2.64 m

Calculation of Sounding Datum (d) at New Station
i) Where ‘True Spring ML’ at established station is known

From Tide Table (assumed):

MHWS = 2.8 m
MLWS = 0.6 m
Obs. Mean Level (M) = (2.8+0.6)/2 = 1.7 m (true spring ML)

d = 2.64 – (1.53 – 1.70) –[1.7 x (1.8/1.78)]

= 1.09 m above zero of tide pole

ii) Where ‘True Spring ML’ at established gauge is not known

d = 2.64 – [1.53x(1.8/1.78)]
= 1.093 = 1.09 m above zero of tide pole
 b) Diurnal Method of Transfer

Observed MSL

True MSL
H h
zI
ZI

Chart Datum
d
established
station new
What is d? station
From the diagram:

If the True Mean Sea Level ( ) is not known, the formula

reduces to:

Where:
at the established station

at the new station

c) Mixed Tides (Diurnal Inequalities)
The calculation is nevertheless carried out in much the same way, with
the major exception that only the Highest High Water (HHW) and the
Lowest Low Water (LLW) in each set are included in the averages.
When there is a choice of acceptable reference sites, it is best to choose
the one with the greater tidal range.
 At Established Station At New Station
Only value with
High Low High Low
(*) is used in
water water Water water the calculation
2.87* 0.43* 2.59* 0.30*
2.35 2.13 2.44 2.23
2.71* 0.58* 2.47* 0.49*
2.44 2.04 2.26 2.10
2.53* 0.82* 2.50* 0.73*
2.53 1.92 2.26 1.89
Sum 8.11 1.83 Sum 7.56 1.52
Mean 2.70 0.61 Mean 2.52 0.51

M = (2.70 + 0.61)/2 = 1.66 m = (2.52 + 0.51)/2 = 1.51

R = (2.70 - 0.61) = 2.09 r = (2.52 - 0.51) = 2.01
R Observed Mean Level
r

M m

d
established
station new
station
mʹ = Mr/R = 1.60

D = mʹ - m = 1.60 – 1.51 = +0.09 m

Thank You