U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 1 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
To reach the tidal bench marks from the intersection of East Bay Street and the
crosstown highway at the south foot of the northbound Cooper River Bridge,
proceed SE on East Bay Street for 2.6 km (1.6 mi). Turn left onto Market
Street for 0.2 km (0.1 mi) to Concord Street. Turn right and travel 0.08 km
(0.05 mi) to the drive of South Carolina Port Authority. Turn left and follow
the drive to a dock. The bench marks are in the vicinity of U.S. Custom House,
along East Bay Street, and along Broad Street. The tide gage and staff are on
the south end of the dock.
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
PRIMARY BENCH MARK STAMPING: NO 13 1928 ELEV 8.264 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 13
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 611
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0085
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete dock
The primary bench mark is a disk set near the east end of the concrete portion
of the dock and beyond the guard railway of a concrete pier landing on the
approach walkway to the Ports Authority Union Pier Loading Building (note: key
must be obtained to access the walkway), 18.14 m (59.5 ft) east of the north
gate post at the walkway entrance, 5.46 m (17.9 ft) south of the north edge of
the concrete dock, 2.41 m (7.9 ft) north of the north edge of the concrete curb
at the walkway to the loading building, and 0.40 m (1.3 ft) west of the east
edge of the concrete dock.
BENCH MARK STAMPING:
DESIGNATION: 9.3=EXTRA
ALIAS: NO STAMPING 1
MONUMENTATION: Chiseled Cross VM#: 613
AGENCY: Unknown PID#: CJ0091
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Step
The bench mark is a chiseled cross in the top of the south end of the bottom
step on the east side entrance of the U.S. Customhouse, at the intersection of
Market and Concord Streets, 0.3 m (1 ft) south of an iron railing fence, 0.09 m
(0.3 ft) north of south end of step, and about 0.15 m (0.5 ft) above walk.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 2 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 9.311 1918
DESIGNATION: 9
MONUMENTATION: Traverse Station disk VM#: 614
AGENCY: US Geological Survey (USGS) PID#: CJ0084
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Granite step
The bench mark is a disk set in the north end of the bottom granite step at the
east entrance to the U.S. Customhouse, at the intersection of Market and
Concord Streets, 24.57 m (80.6 ft) west of the center of Concord Street, and
0.30 m (1.0 ft) south of the wrought iron railing.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 7 1921 ELEV 13.612 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 7
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 615
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0090
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Window ledge
The bench mark is a disk set in the top of the east end of a window ledge at the
U.S. Customhouse at the intersection of Market and East Bay Streets, in the
second basement window west of the SE corner of the east wing of the building,
3.51 m (11.5 ft) west of the centerline of the steps on the south side of the
building and 1.40 m (4.6 ft) above ground level.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 3 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8 1921 ELEV 11.109 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 8
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 616
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0094
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stone doorsill
The bench mark is a disk set flush in the north corner of a stone doorsill at
the entrance to 185 East Bay Street, on the west side of East Bay Street across
from the driveway between 184 and 186 East Bay Street, 4.21 m (13.8 ft) SSW of
an unnumbered light pole, and 2.87 m (9.4 ft) south of the NE corner of a store
front.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 9 1921 ELEV 11.394 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 9
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 617
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0095
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stone step
The bench mark is a disk set flush at the south end of the top curved step of
the East Bay Trading Company Restaurant, at the intersection of East Bay and
Queen Streets, 9.75 m (32.0 ft) west of the centerline of East Bay Street, 6.80
m (22.3 ft) south of the centerline of Queen Street, and 4.97 m (16.3 ft) WNW
of a fire hydrant.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 4 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 11 1921 ELEV 14.108 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 11
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 618
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0152
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Stone doorsill
The bench mark is a disk set flush on the east side of a stone doorsill of the
Peoples Office Building at 18 Broad Street, at the junction of Broad and State
Streets, 19.81 m (65.0 ft) west of the centerline of State Street, 11.03 m
(36.2 ft) north of the centerline of Broad Street, 1.28 m (4.2 ft) east of the
centerline of the entrance to the building, and 0.15 m (0.5 ft) above Broad
Street.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 12 1921 ELEV 16.552 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 12
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 619
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0098
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Step
The bench mark is a disk set flush in the top step of the northernmost Meeting
Street entrance to the old Post Office, at the intersection of Broad and
Meeting Streets, 17.22 m (56.5 ft) south of the centerline of Broad Street,
11.28 m (37.0 ft) west of the centerline of Meeting Street, 0.67 m (2.2 ft)
north of the center of the entrance door, and 1.68 m (5.5 ft) above Broad
Street.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 5 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: NO 14 1928 RESET ELEV 8.327 FT
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL 14 RESET
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 620
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0089
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete sea wall
The bench mark is a disk set in a granite retaining wall at the boat slip across
Concord Street from the east entrance to the U.S. Customhouse, near the
southern entrance to the South Carolina Port Authority Terminal, 11.13 m (36.5
ft) east of the centerline of Concord Street, 8.96 m (62.2 ft) north of power
pole No. 320450, 1.10 m (3.6 ft) east of the west edge of the retaining wall,
0.43 m (1.4 ft) west of the east edge of the retaining wall, and 0.15 m (0.5
ft) above Concord Street.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: U 16 1933 9.117
DESIGNATION: U 16
MONUMENTATION: Bench Mark disk VM#: 622
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0081
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Building
The bench mark is a disk set vertically in a brick wall near the east corner of
the L.A. Grill Restaurant, at the intersection of East Bay and North Market
Streets, 3.29 m (10.8 ft) north of the north curb of North Market Street, 0.64
m (2.1 ft) west of the east corner of a brick building entrance way, and 1.04 m
(3.4 ft) above the sidewalk.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 6 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: PORT 1962
DESIGNATION: PORT
MONUMENTATION: Survey disk VM#: 623
AGENCY: US Army Corps of Engineers (USE) PID#: CJ0326
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete pier
The bench mark is a disk set flush on the SE edge of the passenger terminal pier
of the South Carolina Port Authority, 3.08 m (10.1 ft) SSE of the SE corner of
the 3x3 m (9x9 ft) concrete block building housing the U.S. Department of
Commerce National Ocean Service Tide Station, 1.80 m (5.9 ft) NE of the SW edge
of the pier, and 1.25 m (4.1 ft) NW of the SE edge of the pier.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 10.945
DESIGNATION: 866 5530 TIDAL BASIC
ALIAS: BASIC
MONUMENTATION: Bench Mark disk VM#: 624
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: CJ0093
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete monument
The bench mark is a disk set in an 18-inch concrete post near the west entrance
steps to the U.S. Custom House, 33.50 m (109.9 ft) east of the center of East
Bay Street, 11.52 m (37.8 ft) ESE of the southernmost of two flag poles, 9.54 m
(31.3 ft) south of the south face of the large landing at the west entrance
steps, 4.18 m (13.7 ft) north of the north edge of the granite curbing of a
grassy area, 3.26 m (10.7 ft) WNW of a 0.27 m (0.9 ft) palmetto tree, and
projecting 0.67 m (2.2 ft). The west face of the post has formation of colored
rocks spelling United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Basic Bench Mark.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 7 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
T I D A L D A T U M S
Tidal datums at CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE based on:
LENGTH OF SERIES: 19 YEARS
TIME PERIOD: January 1983 - December 2001
TIDAL EPOCH: 1983-2001
CONTROL TIDE STATION:
Elevations of tidal datums referred to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), in METERS:
HIGHEST OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (09/21/1989) = 3.817
MEAN HIGHER HIGH WATER (MHHW) = 1.757
MEAN HIGH WATER (MHW) = 1.648
NORTH AMERICAN VERTICAL DATUM-1988 (NAVD) = 0.957
MEAN SEA LEVEL (MSL) = 0.891
MEAN TIDE LEVEL (MTL) = 0.853
MEAN LOW WATER (MLW) = 0.057
MEAN LOWER LOW WATER (MLLW) = 0.000
LOWEST OBSERVED WATER LEVEL (03/13/1993) = -1.245
Bench Mark Elevation Information In METERS above:
Stamping or Designation MLLW MHW
NO 13 1928 ELEV 8.264 FT 3.177 1.529
9.3=EXTRA 3.496 1.848
9.311 1918 3.499 1.851
7 1921 ELEV 13.612 FT 4.812 3.163
8 1921 ELEV 11.109 FT 4.054 2.406
9 1921 ELEV 11.394 FT 4.126 2.478
11 1921 ELEV 14.108 FT 4.953 3.304
12 1921 ELEV 16.552 FT 5.711 4.062
NO 14 1928 RESET ELEV 8.327 FT 3.188 1.539
U 16 1933 9.117 3.443 1.794
PORT 1962 3.491 1.842
10.945 3.983 2.334
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 8 of 8
Station ID: 8665530 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/29/2003
Name: CHARLESTON, COOPER RIVER ENTRANCE
SOUTH CAROLINA
NOAA Chart: 11524 Latitude: 32ø 46.9' N
USGS Quad: CHARLESTON Longitude: 79ø 55.5' W
D E F I N I T I O N S
Mean Sea Level (MSL) is a tidal datum determined over a 19-year National Tidal
Datum Epoch. It pertains to local mean sea level and should not be confused
with the fixed datums of North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).
NGVD 29 is a fixed datum adopted as a national standard geodetic reference for
heights but is now considered superseded. NGVD 29 is sometimes referred to as
Sea Level Datum of 1929 or as Mean Sea Level on some early issues of Geological
Survey Topographic Quads. NGVD 29 was originally derived from a general
adjustment of the first-order leveling networks of the U.S. and Canada after
holding mean sea level observed at 26 long term tide stations as fixed.
Numerous local and wide-spread adjustments have been made since establishment in
1929. Bench mark elevations relative to NGVD 29 are available from the National
Geodetic Survey (NGS) data base via the World Wide Web at
National Geodetic Survey.
NAVD 88 is a fixed datum derived from a simultaneous, least squares, minimum
constraint adjustment of Canadian/Mexican/United States leveling observations.
Local mean sea level observed at Father Point/Rimouski, Canada was held fixed as
the single initial constraint. NAVD 88 replaces NGVD 29 as the national
standard geodetic reference for heights. Bench mark elevations relative to
NAVD 88 are available from NGS through the World Wide Web at
National Geodetic Survey.
NGVD 29 and NAVD 88 are fixed geodetic datums whose elevation relationships to
local MSL and other tidal datums may not be consistent from one location to
another.
The Vertical Mark Number (VM#) and PID# shown on the bench mark sheet are unique
identifiers for bench marks in the tidal and geodetic databases, respectively.
Each bench mark in either database has a single, unique VM# and/or PID# assigned.
Where both VM# and PID# are indicated, both tidal and geodetic elevations are
available for the bench mark listed.
The NAVD 88 elevation is shown on the Elevations of Tidal Datums Table Referred
to MLLW only when two or more of the bench marks listed have NAVD 88 elevations.
The NAVD 88 elevation relationship shown in the table is derived from an average
of several bench mark elevations relative to tide station datum. As a result of
this averaging, NAVD 88 bench mark elevations computed indirectly from the tidal
datums elevation table may differ slightly from NAVD 88 elevations listed for
each bench mark in the NGS database.