1. T EXAS C OASTAL O CEAN O BSERVATION N ETWORK D IVISION OF N EARSHORE R ESEARCH-DR.GARY JEFFRESS, DIRECTOR T EXAS A & M U NIVERSITY- C ORPUS C HRISTI HISTORY The Division of Nearshore Research (DNR) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has developed one of the most sophisticated water level and environmental observation systems available. In 1989 the university commenced the installation of a modern state- of-the-art water-level measurement system to provide real-time water-level and meteorological information to the City of Corpus Christi. The first measurement system installed was intended to assist local officials with preparations for incoming hurricanes and tropical storms. From this initial work, other state agencies began contracting the university to provide similar information for other areas along the Texas coast. Following a Texas Legislative mandate in 1991, this network of water level gauges became the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network (TCOON). As a result, TCOON expanded from an initial station in 1989 to over forty stations by 1992. OVERVIEW The TCOON network utilizes the Next Generation Water Level Measurement System developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean TCOON DATA APPLICATIONS  Tidal Datum Definition  DNR has developed artificial Web-based processes that utilize the large tidal data sets collected from the TCOON network. These processes have greatly reduced the amount of time required to process data and determine tidal datums.  Littoral Boundary Definition  Survey benchmarks are installed at all TCOON water level stations. An elevation record is maintained for every benchmark in the station’s local network. Tidal Datums produced by the station are referenced to each benchmark thus assisting surveyors in identifying and locating littoral property boundaries.  Navigation and Marine Safety  Water current data are collected from several locations in the Corpus Christi Bay area. The data are merged with water level and meteorological data collected from the local TCOON stations and then provided in near-real-time to ships pilots via an automated touch-tone voice systems.  Channel Dredging and Maintenance  Navigation channel maintenance and dredge activities require knowledge of water level and tidal datums before, during, and after dredging.  The United States Army Corps of Engineers uses TCOON data to plan and execute the maintenance and dredging of navigation channels and waterways along the Texas coast.  Oil-spill Response  An automated system developed by the Texas Water Development Board downloads TCOON data directly from the DNR Web site. The data are then used to generate three day water current circulation models in bays along the Texas Gulf Coast.  SpillSim, a trajectory model, uses the information to predict where oil will move if an oil-spill occurs in Texas bays. The model information is then provided to emergency response teams.  Hurricane and Storm Preparation  Local officials use TCOON data and DNR forecasts in the decision making process regarding inundation of low-lying areas along the coast, road closures, and evacuations.  Software has been developed to allow the National Weather Service Office to seamlessly integrate TCOON data into its weather forecasting systems to better predict the effects of an incoming storm.  Recreation and Benefit to the General Public  TCOON data are used heavily by windsurfers, sailors, fishermen, and other recreational enthusiasts.  TCOON data are available to anyone via the DNR Web site; lighthouse.tamucc.edu and DNR’s WindInfo line (361-992-WIND). TIDAL DATUMS A tidal datum is a vertical reference based on a specific stage of tide which serves as a baseline elevation to which sounding depths or topographic heights are referenced. The 19-year period includes an 18.6 year astronomical cycle that accounts for all significant variations in the moon and sun that cause slowly varying changes in the range of tide. http://lighthouse.tamucc.edu/TCOON Service (NOAA/NOS) for the National Water Level Observation Network. Today, TCOON has 26 stations which obtain reliable water-level data according to NOS standards. DATA MANAGEMENT DNR maintains a central repository for all data collected by TCOON and other DNR environmental networks. Rigorous adherence to design principles has produced a system that is robust, stable, and flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of observational-data needs and changes in requirements. DNR's extensive use of automation has resulted in a cost-effective, reliable, and flexible implementation of data management. Data acquisition, archiving, and distribution take place autonomously with only occasional operator intervention in cases of platform malfunction or data transmission errors. Daily data inspections result in timely platform repairs and excellent data quality. Furthermore, the use of automated systems for the majority of the data processing tasks makes it possible to provide environmental data to end-users in near-real time. Observations that pass the automated quality-control features of the system are generally made available to end- users within seconds of the data's arrival at DNR. For stations equipped with radio transmission facilities, this means that data are typically available to end-users within fifteen minutes of the actual time of measurement. Some stations provide additional environmental data such as wind speed and direction, and air and water temperature. Water-level data and other environmental parameters are made available in near-real-time via DNR’s WindInfo line(361-992-WIND) and the DNR Web site (http://lighthouse.tamucc.edu/TCOON). TCOON is presently operated by DNR under the direction of the Texas General Land Office, with the sponsorship of other agencies such as Texas Water Development Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. DNR activities are monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).