1. What is the Difference Between High and Low Tide Level?

The difference between high and low tide level (Δh) represents the vertical distance between the highest and lowest water levels during a tidal cycle. This measurement is crucial for harbor operations, coastal engineering, and navigation safety.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \Delta h \) — Difference between High and Low Tide level (m)
• \( h' \) — Average Harbor Depth (m)
• \( \alpha_f \) — Portion caused by Filling (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula calculates the tidal range by multiplying the average harbor depth by the portion factor that accounts for filling effects on water volume distribution.

3. Importance of Tide Level Difference Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of tide level differences is essential for harbor design, dredging operations, vessel navigation safety, and predicting coastal flooding risks during extreme tidal events.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter average harbor depth in meters and the portion caused by filling (dimensionless). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What factors influence the portion caused by filling (α_f)?
A: The portion factor is influenced by harbor geometry, tidal characteristics, sediment transport patterns, and the ratio of water volume entering the harbor per tide to the total harbor volume.

Q2: How is average harbor depth typically determined?
A: Average harbor depth is calculated through bathymetric surveys that measure water depths at multiple points throughout the harbor area and computing the mean value.

Q3: What are typical values for tide level differences?
A: Tide level differences vary significantly by location, ranging from less than 1 meter in microtidal areas to over 10 meters in macrotidal regions with strong tidal forces.

Q4: How does this calculation help in harbor management?
A: Understanding tide level differences helps determine safe navigation depths, optimize dredging schedules, plan construction activities, and assess storm surge vulnerability.

Q5: Are there limitations to this simplified formula?
A: This formula provides a basic estimation and may not account for complex hydrodynamic factors, local topography effects, or non-linear tidal behavior in certain harbor configurations.