U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Datums Page Page 1 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
To reach the tidal bench marks from Brooklyn/Queens in New York City take exit
#36 West from I-278 (Brooklyn Queens Expressway) and follow Queens Boulevard to
the Queensboro bridge, then take the First Avenue/60th Street exit from the
Queensboro bridge, proceed east on 60th Street for two blocks to York Avenue,
then proceed east through the intersection and up the ramp over FDR drive,
follow the access to the north and down the ramp to the chain link gate
(entrance to the heliport) at the bottom of the ramp. The old (discontinued) NYC
heliport is on the immediate right. Permission to access the property should be
obtained from NYC Economic Development Corporation, Mr. Jack Powers at
212-312-3600. The tidal bench marks are located in and around heliport property
and to the west along the bridge abutments and approaches. The tide gauge was
loacated on the north side of the bridge, at the west edge of the river, at the
pier face north of the west end of the bridge, attached to the face of the
bulkhead, approximately 5 m (50 ft) NNE of the NE corner of the heliport hanger
building.
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
PRIMARY BENCH MARK STAMPING:
DESIGNATION: B USE
MONUMENTATION: Chiseled Square VM#: 16283
AGENCY: Unknown PID#: KU1416
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete and granite abutment
The bench mark is the space between a double Y cut in top of the west corner of
the top pedestal of the SW end of the NW abutment of a stone arch of Queensboro
Bridge over 1st Avenue at the intersection of First Avenue and East 59th Street,
22.25 m (73.0 ft) NE of the NE curb of East 59th Street, 4.05 m (13.3 ft) SE of
the SE curb of 1st Avenue, and 1.52 m (5.0 ft) above the level of the walk.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 2 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING:
DESIGNATION: 1670 BOM
MONUMENTATION: Chiseled Square VM#: 16282
AGENCY: Unknown PID#: KU1415
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete and granite abutment
The primary bench mark is a 1.25-inch outlined chiseled square on top of the
south corner of a stone at the SW end of a NW abutment of Queensboro Bridge
located at the intersection of First Avenue and East 59th Street, 19.35 m (63.5
ft) NE of the NE curb of East 59th Street, 4.27 m (14.0 ft) NW of the NW curb of
First Avenue, and 0.46 m (1.5 ft) above the sidewalk.
BENCH MARK STAMPING:
DESIGNATION: 851 8687 A
ALIAS: NO STAMPING 1
MONUMENTATION: Bolt VM#: 16286
AGENCY: Martek Inc. PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete and granite bulkhead
The bench mark is a bolt, the southernmost of two 2-inch bolt heads attaching a
1.07 m (3.5 ft) long cleat to the bulkhead, located at the Heliport just north
of the Queensboro Bridge, 13.78 m (45.2 ft) NE of the NE corner of the Heliport
Hanger Building, 3.20 m (10.5 ft) east of a fire hydrant, 0.15 m (0.5 ft) NW of
the face of the concrete and granite bulkhead on the west side of the west
channel of the East River, and approximately 0.21 m (0.7 ft) above the top of
the bulkhead.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 3 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8687 B 2000
DESIGNATION: 851 8687 B
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 16287
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Pavement
The bench mark is a disk set in pavement surrounding a fire hydrant and
protectrive posts, located at the Heliport just north of the Queensboro Bridge,
20.76 m (68.1 ft) east of the east face of a concrete wall of steps leading up
to the top of Heliport Hanger Building, 14.66 m (48.1 ft) north of the NE corner
of the Heliport Hanger Building, 2.47 m (8.1 ft) west of the east face of the
bulkhead along the west side of the west channel of the East River, 0.55 m (1.8
ft) east of a fire hydrant, and 0.21 m (0.7 ft) above the paved surface of the
Heliport.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8687 C 2000
DESIGNATION: 851 8687 C
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 16288
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete bulkhead
The bench mark is a disk set in top of a concrete bulkhead, located at the
Heliport just north of the Queensboro Bridge, 21.37 m (70.1 ft) east of the east
face of a concrete wall of a traffic ramp leading to the Heliport entrance gate,
8.38 m (27.5 ft) SSE of the center of a 0.76 m x 0.61 m (2.5 ft x 2.0 ft) iron
storm water inlet in the Heliport paved area, 0.09 m (0.3 ft) west of the east
face of the bulkhead along the west side of the west channel of the East River,
and approximately level with the paved surface of the Heliport.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 4 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: H 339 1952
DESIGNATION: H 339
MONUMENTATION: Bench Mark disk VM#: 16298
AGENCY: US Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) PID#: KU1418
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete pier
The bench mark is a disk set vertically in the SW face of the concrete pier of
the south bound traffic lane of East River Drive, located at the intersection of
61st Street and East River Drive (FDR Drive), 64 m (210 ft) SE of the SE curb of
York Avenue, 1.22 m (4.0 ft) SW of the extended NE curve line of East 61st
Street, and 1.68 m (5.5 ft) above the level of East 61st Street.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8687 D 2001
DESIGNATION: 851 8687 D
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 16519
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete bulkhead
The bench mark is a disk set in top of a concrete wall on the south side of 60th
Street between York Avenue and First Avenue, just north of Queensboro Bridge,
5.24 m (17.2 ft) NNE of the north face of a granite pier of the bridge, 3.66 m
(12.0 ft) SSW of the southern curb of 60th Street, 0.30 m (1 ft) SSW of the
north end of a 14-inch concrete wall on the west side of a ramp, and 0.70 m (2.3
ft) above the sidewalk.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 5 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8687 E 2001
DESIGNATION: 851 8687 E
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 16520
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete building foundation
The bench mark is a disk set top of the concrete foundation of a building at 510
East 62nd Street, just north of Queensboro Bridge, on the west side of FDR
service road between 61st and 62nd Streets, 8.53 m (28.0 ft) NW of a lamppost,
2.90 m (9.5 ft) WSW of a fire hydrant, 0.18 m (0.6 ft) west of the west face of
the concrete foundation, and 0.3 m (1 ft) above the sidewalk.
BENCH MARK STAMPING: 8687 F 2001
DESIGNATION: 851 8687 F
MONUMENTATION: Tidal Station disk VM#: 16551
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS) PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Bridge pier
The bench mark is a disk set vertically in the concrete pier foundation of the
elevated roadway at the underpass of 62nd Street under FDR Drive Southbound, on
the south side of 62nd Street and the west side of FDR Drive Northbound, 2.69 m
(8.8 ft) west of the center of a traffic control box in ground, 0.71 m (2.3 ft)
south of a steel curb on the south side of 62nd Street, and 1 m (3 ft) above the
sidewalk.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 6 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
T I D A L B E N C H M A R K S
BENCH MARK STAMPING:
DESIGNATION: TBM 851 8687 N
MONUMENTATION: Bolt VM#: 16552
AGENCY: None PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete and granite bulkhead
The bench mark is the highest point of a bolt, the middle bolt of three on the
west edge of a 1x1 m (4x3 ft) steel plate with bollards at the East River walk
park just north of the Queensboro Bridge heliport, marked "N" in red paint, 4.39
m (14.4 ft) SE of a 1.04 m (3.4 ft) diameter electric manhole, 0.28 m (0.9 ft)
SW of the northern of two bollards, and 0.12 m (0.4 ft) east of the west edge of
the steel plate.
BENCH MARK STAMPING:
DESIGNATION: TBM 851 8687 S
MONUMENTATION: Bolt VM#: 16553
AGENCY: None PID:
SETTING CLASSIFICATION: Concrete and granite bulkhead
The bench mark is the highest point of a bolt, the southernmost of two 2-inch
bolts attaching a 1.07 m (3.5 ft) long cleat to the bulkhead at the heliport
just north of the Queensboro Bridge, 10.84 m (35.6 ft) south of a short fence
post at the NE corner of the hanger building, 1.90 m (6.2 ft) east of the
eastern wall of the building, 0.18 m (0.6 ft) west of the face of the concrete
and granite bulkhead, and 0.21 m (0.7 ft) above the top of the concrete bulkhead
cap.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 7 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' W
T I D A L D A T U M S
Tidal datums at QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER based on:
LENGTH OF SERIES: 3 Months
TIME PERIOD: August 2001 - October 2001
TIDAL EPOCH: 1983-2001
CONTROL TIDE STATION: 8519483 BERGEN POINT WEST REACH, KILL VAN KULL
Elevations of tidal datums referred to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), in METERS:
MEAN HIGHER HIGH WATER (MHHW) = 1.484
MEAN HIGH WATER (MHW) = 1.383
NORTH AMERICAN VERTICAL DATUM-1988 (NAVD) = 0.794
MEAN SEA LEVEL (MSL) = 0.733
MEAN TIDE LEVEL (MTL) = 0.724
MEAN LOW WATER (MLW) = 0.064
MEAN LOWER LOW WATER (MLLW) = 0.000
National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD 29)
Bench Mark Elevation Information In METERS above:
Stamping or Designation MLLW MHW
B USE 18.406 17.023
1670 BOM 17.571 16.188
851 8687 A 2.856 1.473
8687 B 2000 2.816 1.433
8687 C 2000 2.337 0.954
H 339 1952 4.722 3.339
8687 D 2001 13.963 12.580
8687 E 2001 3.421 2.038
8687 F 2001 4.269 2.886
TBM 851 8687 N 2.861 1.478
TBM 851 8687 S 3.030 1.647
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Ocean Service
Page 8 of 8
Station ID: 8518687 PUBLICATION DATE: 04/21/2003
Name: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE, EAST RIVER
NEW YORK
NOAA Chart: 12335 Latitude: 40° 45.5' N
USGS Quad: CENTRAL PARK Longitude: 73° 57.5' 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.