What gauge is used to measure sea level height? I was at Bolivar a few weeks ago and we had 1.8' high tide to low tide. There was 60+' of beach to park and drive on. Looking at a web camera, the area we parked on the beach is under water. and the tide is going out. What am I missing with the higher "depth" tide. Its still 2' tide. We have a new moon vs full.

There�s the predicted levels based on what the moon and sun are doing in relation to the position of the earth.

Then there�s the observed levels that are influenced by other factors such as wind direction.

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=8771341

So right about 14:00, 2:00 pm, the tide�s predicted level at the gauge at the Galveston north jetty is 1.4 feet above MllW, the observed levelis running about 2 feet above predicted.

The Hurricane in the gulf is mostly responsible for the elevated levels at the moment.

Theres also seasonal increased higher tides due to the position of where the moon and sun are in relation to the earth. Fall and spring tend to already by higher than typical tide predictions. Add to that the weather affects such as both wind direction and also barrometer, and as Karstopo said the wave building affects of a hurricane miles offshore all can build water above predicted levels.

Big NE WINDS are ur culprit....pushes water onshore and can add up to 6� of tide easily.

At the time of the post it was the storm... but yes right now its more related to these northeast winds we're having. Can be " to over a foot actually.

So, relative to Rockport,NE winds will raise the tide levels on Saint Joe Island and decrease the tide levels in Redfish Bay?