CO-OPS Water Level and Meteorological Site 

Reconnaissance Procedures 

Updated May, 2009 

Bruce L. Servary, Jr. 

Civil Engineer 

Requirements and Development Division 

Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services 

National Ocean Service 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   Page i

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. BACKGROUND 2

3. TYPES OF STATIONS 2

4. EQUIPMENT NEEDED 3

5. OFFICE INFORMATION 4

6. SITE VISIT 5

APPENDIX A – SITE RECONNAISSANCE FIELD NOTE 7
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   P

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

1. Introduction 

The National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and 

Services (CO-OPS), operates a number of short and long term monitoring systems. CO-OPS 

provides the infrastructure, science, and technical expertise to monitor, assess, and 

disseminate coastal oceanographic and Great Lakes products and services necessary to 

support NOS missions of environmental stewardship, assessment, and prediction; safe 

navigation; and hazard mitigation. 

In order to support the NOS and CO-OPS missions, new water level and met stations are 

regularly required. The best method for assembling the information needed to install these 

stations is a reconnaissance. The primary objective of the reconnaissance is to determine the 

optimal location and configuration for data collection platforms (DCP), antennas, sensors, 

and support components. For a water level station, recovering historic bench marks and 

scouting locations for setting new bench marks is also essential. The reconnaissance consists 

of personnel visiting the site sufficiently far in advance of site preparation to: 

 Locate an acceptable site. 

 Obtain measurements and information necessary to design the station. 

 Arrange for any permits/license agreements required. 

 Arrange for utilities. 

 Prepare a cost estimate and work schedule. 

 Allow time for the procurement and fabrication of special support components (if 

necessary). 

If possible, property owners should be contacted in advance to obtain oral or written 

permission to use or modify the site, otherwise, meet with the property owner as soon as site 

is visited. An advance letter of permission, permit, security clearance, or some other written 

instrument may be required by the owner. A license agreement may have to be executed 

before any work can be done. Even if the site is an existing NWLON station, some advance 

notice may be required or appreciated by the owner. 

Accurate measurements and information is best obtained onsite. The locale can be 

investigated to determine which particular site will best accommodate the preliminary design 

and all the other site requirements. Any special installation requirements, such as explosion 

proof conduit on fuel piers, can also be determined through discussions with local authorities. 

Once the reconnaissance information is collected and a report issued, the design is finalized, 

and a cost estimate and installation schedule can be determined. 

This document provides general details regarding meteorological sensor site reconnaissance. 

Information specific to meteorological sensors can be found in the Guidelines for 

Meteorological Station Reconnaissance and Meteorological Sensor Height Measurements 

and Reconnaissance Form, Updated May 2009. 
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Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

2. Background 

NOS is a Federal agency devoted to exploring, understanding, conserving, and restoring the 

Nation's coasts and oceans. NOS promotes safe navigation, supports coastal communities, 

sustains coastal habitats, and mitigates coastal hazards. NOS balances environmental 

protection with economic prosperity and leads the effort to ensure that our Nation's coastal 

areas remain safe, healthy and productive. 

CO-OPS establishes standards for the acquisition and processing of water level and current 

data; collects and documents user requirements that serve as the foundation for all resulting 

program activities; designs new and/or improved oceanographic observing systems; develops 

software to improve data processing capabilities; maintains and operates oceanographic 

observing systems; performs operational data analysis/quality control; produces/disseminates 

oceanographic products; and archives the resulting oceanographic data. 

A water level station is a stand alone system that collects, stores, and transmits water level, 

meteorological, and other environmental data. The primary requirement of a station is to 

accurately measure water level information with low power consumption, high reliability, 

and defined accuracy. The typical station includes an air acoustic water level sensor with 

protective well, single or dual orifice Paroscientific pressure sensors, or a shaft angle encoder 

in a sump (Great Lakes); a redundant pressure-based water level sensor; and a data collection 

platform with Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) transmitter, 

rechargeable battery, and solar panel. Many stations also include sensors that measure air 

and water temperature, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, and conductivity. A 

meteorological (Met) only station is a stand alone system that collects, stores, and transmits 

meteorological data. 

3. Types of Stations 

There are several types of stations that CO-OPS maintains. They are: 

 Basic Water Level Station 

o Support structure (pier, platform, wharf, etc.). 

o DCP 

o DCP enclosure 

o Water level sensor (acoustic or pressure) 

o Protective well (for acoustic sensor) 

o Protective well brackets 

o Solar Panel 

o GOES antenna 

o Bench mark network (minimum of five marks) 

 NWLON Station 

o Basic water level station with acoustic water level sensor 

o Multiple DCPs 

o Redundant pressure water level sensor 

o Bench mark network of ten marks 

o Additional solar panels 

o Barometer 
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Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

o Wind sensor 

o Tower or pole for mounting wind sensor 

o Air temperature sensor 

o Water temperature sensor 

o Conductivity 

o Utilities (phone and electric) 

 PORTS Water Level Station 

o NWLON Station 

o Line of sight radio 

o IP modem 

 Met Station 

o DCP 

o DCP enclosure 

o Barometer 

o Wind sensor 

o Tower or pole for mounting wind sensor 

o Air temperature sensor 

o Solar Panel 

o GOES antenna 

o Line of sight radio (for PORTS) 

o IP modem (for PORTS) 

4. Equipment Needed 

The following equipment, forms, and information is needed to perform a complete 

reconnaissance: 

 Digital Camera/Videotape Recorder 

 Published Bench Mark Sheet 

 NGS Datasheets for area 

 Shovel/digging implement 

 Metal detector 

 Sample License Agreement/Letter of Permission 

 Weighted tape for soundings 

 Engineering sketch pad 

 Inclinometer 

 Carpenters level or plumb bob 

 Hand-held GPS 

 Compass 

 IP Modem Kit which consists of a Verizon IP Modem, AT&T IP Modem, Small 

Battery, and an Antenna 

 Chart section 

 NGWLMS Well/Sounding Tube Worksheet 

 Site Reconnaissance Field Notes form (Appendix A) 
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   Page 4

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

5. Office Information 

After a general site has been selected for the installation of a water level or met station, the 

first step is to gather all relevant information. In many cases, the site is an existing or historic 

water level station, and office files can be consulted for much of the information. To find out 

if an historic water level station exists, consult the Index of Water Level Stations at 

http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/station_index_map.shtml Program requirements may also 

provide some direction. 

If there is a historical site, assemble as much of the following information as possible: 

 Tidal datums and bench mark elevations. 

 To Reach statement and bench mark recovery notes. 

 NGS Datasheets based on point radius. 

 Support structure and harbor bottom elevations. 

 Support structure plan and sun transit. 

 Environmental data. 

 Instrument shelter and utilities description. 

 GOES transmission information (azimuth and elevation). 

 Solar incidence. 

 Ancillary sensor(s) requirements. 

Tidal datums are required to determine the length and elevation of the protective well. 

Observed highest/lowest water levels shall be used at long term control stations. Estimated 

highest/lowest water levels shall be used at short term stations. These estimated values can be 

determined using a tidal prediction program such as Tides & Currents. Ensure that the tidal 

datums are based on the National Tidal Datum Epoch (1983-2001). To Reach statements and 

bench mark recovery notes are needed to find the historic site and recover as many historic 

bench marks as possible. This information can be found on the CO-OPS published bench 

mark sheet web page at: 

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/station_retrieve.shtml?type=Bench+Mark+Data+Sheets

Datasheets retrieved from the NGS web site are essential for replacing destroyed historic 

marks and for providing a connection to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD88). The web site is http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/datasheet.prl

Support structure and harbor bottom elevations are required as they may impose physical 

constraints on the protective well and backup sensor mounting assembly elevations and 

lengths. These elevations typically have been documented for existing NWLON stations and 

can be determined at historic sites through levels to the bench mark network. 

Information on the support structure's orientation and the path of the sun's transit is critical 

for locating a thermally acceptable site for the protective well. 

Descriptions of the instrument shelter and utilities are typically available for NWLON sites 

and can be used to determine if adequate space and utilities exist for the DCP units. 
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   Page 5

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

The GOES satellite antenna azimuth and elevation angles are required to select an antenna 

site free of obstructions that may interfere with the transmission. GOES satellite azimuths are 

referenced in true degrees. If a compass is used to position the antenna, the local magnetic 

declination must be applied. 

Solar incidence is needed to provide the proper orientation and elevation of the solar panel to 

provide maximum charging voltage. 

Requirements for ancillary sensors should be determined in advance to allow adequate lead 

time for site preparation configuration and installation. 

Site specific environmental data, particularly on wave climate, is important. Wave data are 

used in determining well length and elevation. Other types of environmental data may also be 

useful for design or validation processes. 

Once a general location has been selected, use nautical charts, quad maps, and aerial 

photographs to search for likely structures 

6. Site Visit 

After compiling all information possible in the office, it is time to visit the site. Upon arrival 

at the general location, proceed to the site determined from the office documents. Seek out 

the owner or owner’s representative of the structure most likely for the installation, introduce 

yourself and explain your purpose. Ask permission to make measurements and determine 

which method the owner wishes to use to grant permission for CO-OPS to install equipment 

on the owner’s property. Use the Site Reconnaissance Field Notes form in Appendix A to 

record all information. 

Following receipt of owner permission, perform the following measurements at the structure: 

 Pier/Bulkhead surface above harbor bottom 

 Pier/Bulkhead surface above water surface 

 Time of Pier/Bulkhead to water surface measurement 

 Piling diameter 

 Pier stringer size and separation 

 Pier deck width 

 IP Modem signal strength. Connect the IP Modem Kit to your laptop or a loopback, 

then contact the instrument lab and let them communicate to the modem and 

determine signal strength. Perform this for each service provider IP Modem in the kit. 

Record the service provider and the respective signal strength. 

 GPS latitude/longitude of station & bench mark locations. Record position to the 

tenth of a second. 

Record contact information for the following individuals: 

 Facility owner 

 Local contact – the person who must be notified whenever the station is visited. 
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   Page 6

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

Make the following observations: 

 Sky clearance in the direction of the GOES antenna and solar panels. 

 For wind sensor installations, choose an area free of obstructions that affect the path 

of the wind. 

Take digital photographs of the following: 

 Proposed location of protective well 

 Proposed location of DCP 

 Recovered bench marks 

o Bench mark faces 

o At least two distance photos from different directions showing landmarks in 

the background. 

 Locations for new marks 

7. Documentation 

Submit the following documentation upon completion of the reconnaissance: 

 Site Reconnaissance Field Notes 

 Bench Mark recovery notes 

 All digital photos of bench marks, proposed DCP & well locations, and proposed 

bench mark installation locations if insufficient marks recovered. 

 Site view drawing showing proposed DCP location(s); proposed protective well 

locations; North directional arrow; recovered bench marks; proposed bench mark 

install location(s); and solar incidence at protective well location(s). 
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   Page 7

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

Appendix A – Site Reconnaissance Field Note
CO‐OPS Water Level and Meteorological   Page 1

Reconnaissance Procedures, Updated May 2009, Appendix A

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Ocean Service 

Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services

Site Reconnaissance Field Notes

GENERAL SITE INFORMATION 

Station Number Station Name Date 

Project Name Station Type Permanent; Temporary; 

NWLON; Navigation; 

Hydro; COASTAL; Other 

Site Name Site Location 

 City County State Zip code 

How To Reach 

Property Owner: 

Address: 

Phone: 

Cell Phone: 

Fax: 

Local Contact: 

Address: 

Phone: 

Cell Phone: 

Fax: 

Communications or Agreements Made To Date 

Contact dates? 

Letter, phone or meeting? 

Details of Discussion? 

Follow-up needed? 

MOU or permits needed?

SITE DESCRIPTION GEOGRAPHIC/OCEANIC DESCRIPTION 

Facility

Public; Private; 

Government; Industrial; 

Commercial; Residential 

Accessibility

Geographic & Hydraulic Features

Open Coast; 

Sheltered Harbor; 

Bay; Sound; Marsh 

Tide Range; Wave 

Height; Currents

Support Structure Bulkhead; Pier; Pilings; 

Other 

Wood; Concrete; Steel 

Measurements & Sizes 

Additional Bracing 

Necessary? 

Shoreline/Bottom Characteristics

Sand; Sediment; 

Gravel; Stone; Rocks; 

Bedrock 

Bottom Slope 

Shifting Shoals? 

Erosion? Scouring?

Structure Height 

 Above Bottom = 

 Above Water Surface = 

 Time of Measurement = 

Water Depth 

Marine Growth Light; Heavy; Kelp; 

Weeds; Barnacles; 

Mussels

Proposed Sensor & DCP Locations

INSTRUMENTATION SUPPORT STRUCTURES 

Data Collection Platform To Be Installed Type Of Shelter To Be Used 

Sensor(s) To Be Installed Type & Length Of Well 

Clamps Required
TOOLS/SUPPLIES 

TOOLS/SUPPLIES 

Special Tools or Equipment Required Boat 

Jet Pump 

Pneumatics 

Hydraulics 

Generator 

Welder 

Diving

Supply List Lumber 

Hardware 

Pipes

Nearby Supplies/Services 

VERTICAL CONTROL/BENCHMARKS 

Level Procedures to be Performed 2nd Order, Class 1 

3rd Order, Class 1 

Other

Bench Marks (Designation/Stamping/Mark Type/Setting/Stability Code/Handheld GPS) 

# Recovered 

# to be Installed 

Estimated length of run 

Quality of Bench Marks 

Static GPS Suitability

SERVICES/UTILITIES 

Telephone Requirements # of lines required 

Origination Point 

Length of run 

Overhead/trench 

Estimated cost 

Type of cable 

Type of conduit

Telephone Company Info Name 

Number 

Mail Address 

Contact

IP Modem 

Service Provider 

Signal Strength 

Electrical Requirements # of lines required 

Origination Point 

Length of run 

Overhead/trench 

Estimated cost 

Type of cable 

Type of conduit

Electrical Contractor Info Name 

Number 

Mail Address 

Contact

Other Contractors Info 

Marine 

Concrete 

Diving 

Welding 

Price quotes received

Additional Information