Grab your camera and snap a King Tide

By Camille St. Onge, Department of Ecology, Shorelands & Environmental Assistance and Air Quality Programs, and Jamie Mooney, Washington Sea Grant

The Washington King Tides Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Washington Department of Ecology and Washington Sea Grant, needs your help documenting King Tides along Washington’s shores. Pictures of King Tides offer a record of the changes to our coasts and shorelines. It’s a glimpse of what our daily tides may look like in the future as a result of sea level rise.

So, grab your camera and head out to the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, or Pacific Coast to photograph the highest seasonal tides.

What is a King Tide?

King Tides are the highest tides of the year. Washington’s King Tides usually occur in late December/early January and are driven by the position and distance of the moon and sun to the earth. The shape of bays and estuaries can magnify the intensity of tides and tidal range. In addition, low barometric pressure affects tidal height. King Tides bring unusually high water levels and can cause tidal flooding. These tides can last for several days and range anywhere between a few inches to several feet above normal.

For example, due to low barometric pressure in the winter combined with the King Tide event, on January 5, Seattle’s water level is projected to reach +13.3 feet as compared to an average high tide range of +7 to +11 feet during summer high tides.

Your photos give a glimpse of what the future may look like

Your photographs help scientists visualize the impact of rising waters on Washington’s coasts. Human and natural processes are constantly altering our shores and projections indicate that future sea level rise will intensify these changes. We want to continue capturing what happens during extreme high tides, and we need your help!

Where and when

Below are the projected King Tide events for the 2014 Season and their corresponding water levels. Visit the Washington Department of Ecology’s website to see when and where King Tides are occurring in other locations: King Tide Map

Strait of Juan de Fuca	Dec 30	Dec 31	Jan 1	Jan 2	Jan 29
Port Angeles	11:19 am, 8.5 feet	12:06 pm, 8.6 feet	12:59 pm, 8.5 feet	1:51 pm, 8.2 feet	12:04 pm, 8.2 feet

Puget Sound	Jan 4	Jan 5	Jan 6
Seattle		8:04 am, 13.3 feet	8:47 am, 13.1 feet
Everett		8:10 am, 12.8 feet	8:49 am, 12.5 feet
Olympia	8:07 am, 17.1 feet	8:49 am, 17.1 feet	9:32 am, 16.9 feet

Coastal Washington	Dec 31	Jan 1	Jan 2	Jan 30	Jan 31
La Push	10:45 am, 10.0 feet	11:37 am, 10.2 feet	12:27 am, 10.2 feet	11:28 am, 10.1 feet	12:19 pm, 10.1 feet

Submit your pics

Your pictures will be used in educational and outreach materials to raise awareness around the impacts of flooding, sea level rise, and how humans interact with these vulnerable coastal areas.

Below are three ways to share your photos. Most importantly, please share your photos on washington.kingtides.net and the Flickr group. Be sure to record the date, time, and location of each picture.

1. Upload your picture to Washington’s Witness King Tides website at http://washington.kingtides.net. Scroll over “Get Involved” and then click on “Share your Photos.”
2. Go to www.flickr.com to sign up for a free account, if you don’t already have one. Join the Washington King Tides Photo Initiative Group. Edit each photo in Flickr to include in the description, date, time, direction facing, and any recognizable structure or location.
3. Upload your picture to Instagram from the location where you took the picture and use #kingtides.

Be safe

Take extra precautions when you walk on slippery areas or near big waves, and always be aware of your surroundings and the weather conditions.

Don’t forget to upload your pictures on our Flickr group and Witness King Tides website!

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Our Changing Climate: Mount Adams glaciers disappearing

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program

Over the weekend, the Yakima Herald-Republic published this interesting article about how warming temperatures are melting glaciers on Mount Adams.

The photo of Mount Adams is from the U.S. Geological Survey.

For more information on Cascade Mountains glaciers, check out the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project from Nichols College in Massachusetts.

On another note, the Kitsap Sun had this recent blog post on sea level rise. It stems from a reader’s reply to a story on high tides, which stems from Ecology’s call for people to be on the lookout for so-called “king tides.”

You can read more about Ecology’s “king tides” project here. And you can see the photos of high tides that people submitted to Ecology.

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Our Changing Climate: Pine beetles and other news

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Air Quality Program

Here are some links to some recent news articles related to climate change:

• The Seattle Times reports on the continuing advance of the pine beetle and the threats it poses to Northwest trees.
  
  
• The Seattle Times also published this guest column on how ocean acidification threatens marine conservation and resource management.
  
  
• This piece talks about the “biggest jump ever seen” in climate-warming gases.
  
  
• Here are two takes on California’s move to establish a cap-and-trade system to limit emissions – this one from the Los Angeles Times, and this from the New York Times.

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High tides hit Monday...grab your camera!

by the Puget Sound Partnership

Some higher than normal tides will be coming May 16-18, creating an opportunity for great picture taking, and a hint at what impacts global sea-level rise might have on our area. While the early week tides are not "King Tides," which are the highest predicted high tides of the year, they are expected to be significantly higher than average.

Recent scientific studies project that global sea-level will rise 3-5 feet by 2100. Sea-level rise impacts should be considered when investing in roads, sewers, and other infrastructure, developing homes and businesses, and restoring natural areas.

Photographs and videos taken during May's higher than normal water levels can be used to generate local publicity for an October King Tide Campaign, planned by EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries, to educate people about sea-level rise impacts, so that responsible management and planning decisions can be made to better protect estuaries of national significance from adverse climate change impacts.

Visit NOAA's "Tidal Prediction" web-page to look up the time of day when the highest tides will occur on May 16, 17 and 18.

To share your high tide photos, join our Flickr group.

For more information about past photo initiatives, see Ecology's King Tides page.

To get involved in Puget Sound Partnership activities, join their ECOnet outreach network.

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Join Washington’s King Tide Photo Initiative

By Johanna Ofner and Eli Levitt, Climate Policy Group

Grab your cameras and hit the beaches!

Washington is joining other West Coast states and provinces by asking citizens to document upcoming extreme high tides — or “king tides” — in January and February.
These naturally-occurring extreme tidal events give us the ability to better understand and visualize the potential impacts of coastal flooding.

Window on sea level rise

From California to British Columbia, individuals will share their king tide photographs to help us all visualize how ongoing higher sea levels may alter our coastal communities.

King tides are a natural phenomenon that happen once or twice a year when the gravitational pull by our sun and moon reinforce one another. While king tides are not caused by climate change, they do give us a pretty dramatic glimpse into what impacts sea level rise may have on Puget Sound and our outer coast.

Point, shoot, upload and tag

In Washington, individuals are encouraged to submit their photos of the extreme high tides to the Washington King Tide Photo Initiative Flickr page. For information about high tides in your area, instructions on how to submit your photos to the Flickr page, or more detailed information about king tides and climate change, see Ecology’s king tides website.

Sea level rise happening at an accelerated rate

Since the Industrial Revolution, sea levels around the globe have risen about eight inches. We anticipate levels are going to keep rising at an accelerating pace. The rise is due largely to ocean warming combined with melting glaciers and land-based ice sheets.

Using a mid-range estimate, a study by Ecology and the University of Washington projects that sea level will increase 13 inches by 2100 in Puget Sound and 11 inches on Washington’s central and southern coasts. Sea level rise of this magnitude is expected to increase coastal flooding and coastal erosion, which threatens Washington’s coastal communities.

Understanding impacts first step toward preparation

Understanding the impacts of sea level rise is a priority for the Department of Ecology. By documenting the possible impacts of sea level rise, we can more clearly understand what current and future generations can expect along Washington’s more than 3,000 miles of tidal coastline.

To learn more about the Washington King Tide Photo Initiative:

• Visit Ecology’s king tide website
  
• Join the Flickr photo group
  
• Read the News Release (Jan 5, 2011)

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Thank You for the High Tide Photos & Your Questions

By Spencer Reeder

The response to our public outreach campaign around sea level rise has been overwhelmingly positive. We received more than 100 photographs from around the region from a number of Washington State citizens. Thanks to all of you!

The regional high tides we observed in January and February provided us with a glimpse of what we are likely to see more often in the future as sea levels continue to rise as a result of global warming.

NEW! Watch the video slide show, Extreme High Tides in Washington State - February 2010


See more February 2010 High Tide photos

Along with the photographs, we also received the following questions:

1. Have sea levels been rising in Puget Sound?
   
2. Are recent extreme high tides a fair representation of what we should expect to see with greater frequency in the future?
   

Let’s address each of these questions one at a time.

Question #1: Have sea levels been rising in Puget Sound?

Answer: YES.

Tide gauges located around the world operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and others have documented a long-term increase in global sea levels.

One such gauge is located in Seattle. Figure 1 below shows the increase in Seattle’s sea level over the past century as measured by the NOAA tide gauge located there.

Other gauges located in the region, such as those in Tacoma and Port Townsend, show a similar trend. Global sea levels are rising as a result of higher global temperature (i.e., water expands as it warms) and from increased melting of land-based glaciers and large ice sheets like those on Greenland.

The rate of global sea level rise started accelerating in the 1940s. In the 1990s, the precision with which sea level could be measured was improved through the introduction of satellite based measurement techniques. (See Figures 2 and 3 below)


Analysis conducted by the University of Washington and Ecology reported estimates of future sea level rise for three regions of Washington’s coastal waters. You can read the report and find out what factors it considers: http://www.cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/moteetalslr579.pdf

Question #2: Are recent extreme high tides a fair representation of what we should expect to see with greater frequency in the future?

Answer: Research shows that sea level is rising. Higher future sea levels will produce water levels like those observed this past January and February more often.

As sea levels in the Puget Sound continue to rise, what was previously a once or twice per year extreme high tide will steadily increase in frequency over time. The UW/Ecology report provides a medium estimate for Puget Sound sea level rise by 2050 of an additional 6 inches (within an estimated range of 3 to 22 inches). Using this medium estimate, a roughly five-fold increase in the number of comparable Puget Sound very-high tide events is obtained for the year 2050. Moreover, the once or twice per year extreme high tide would increase in height and result in potentially even more inundation.

It is important to note that the specific weather conditions that exist during any particular tide event will greatly influence the actual observed water levels. For example, the presence of a low-pressure system during our recent high tides elevated water levels beyond the predicted level published in the NOAA tide tables. If winter storms coincide with similar high tides in the future we would likely experience significantly worse effects than those shown in our citizens’ photographs recently submitted to Ecology.

See Ecology's web site for more about Climate Change - Impacts, Preparation, Adaptation

See the video slide show, Extreme High Tides in Washington State - February 2010
See more February 2010 High Tide photos

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Grab Your Waders and Your Camera, and Keep Those Photos Coming!

by Joanna Ekrem, Climate Change Research Analyst

High waters will be flooding our beaches for several days over February 1 to February 3. These seasonal high tides are extreme, but not unusual. What’s unusual this year is the influence of El Nino, which is leading to higher than predicted tides.

The region experienced seasonal high tides in early January. At that time, we asked you to take photos and send them in to us. We got some great shots and a few are represented here! Thank you to all of you who responded. (For more information, see the High Tides page and a slideshow of some of the photos.)

In addition to the citizen science photos you sent us, there are additional reports of the January high tides resulting in coastal flooding on Bainbridge Island (see Seattle PI story). On Camano Island, strong winds, high tides, and heavy rain sent waves crashing through bulkheads and broke through a seawall - (see KOMO news story). In West Seattle, the high tides deluged two wastewater pump stations and resulted in overflows (see West Seattle Herald story).

New Photo Opportunity!

Now we have another opportunity to document these seasonal high tides. Those of you who happen to photograph the high tide events February 1 - 3 are invited to submit your images to the Washington State Department of Ecology. We are interested in using these images to help document the coastal impacts our state is likely to face with increasing frequency as sea levels continue to rise.

In addition, if you’d like to take photos at the same location during a “normal” high tide, for comparison, we’d love to see those, too!!

High tide events will vary by location around the state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) provides detailed information on tide heights and timing, although these can vary significantly depending on weather conditions. See NOAA tide prediction information for complete information on upcoming high-tide events around the state. The National Weather Service provides specific coastal weather conditions.

Your images can be submitted to EcologyOutreach@ecy.wa.gov, along with the date, time, and detailed location information. Please provide contact information if you'd like us to send you a release form for future publication of your photos.

And if you do take photos, please remember to practice personal safety, especially if there are high waves and winds. Your safety is more important to us than your photos!

Climate Change and Predictions of Sea Level Rise

High tides are expected to become a topic of increased importance in the coming decades as a result of sea level rise attributed to climate change. In the Olympia region, for example, we could see extreme high tide levels similar to those seen in early 2010 ten times per year by 2050 instead of just once or twice per year, based on a medium projection of 6 inches of sea level rise in 2050 for the Puget Sound region. This is expected to intensify flooding of coastal areas, especially during major storms. Rising sea levels also shift coastal beaches inland and increase erosion of coastal bluffs, endangering houses and other structures built near the shore or near the bluff edges. As the sea level rises, coastal freshwater aquifers will be subject to increased intrusion by salt water.

Understanding the future impacts from sea level rise and creating tools and information to assist local governments and the citizens of the state is a priority for Governor Gregoire and the Department of Ecology. A recent executive order signed by the Governor in May 2009 directed the agency to “evaluate the potential impacts of sea level rise on the state’s shoreline areas.”

Governor Gregoire also signed legislation in the spring of 2009 (E2SSB 5560) that included provisions for the formation of an “integrated climate change response strategy” for the state. Ecology and other state agencies will be working closely with stakeholders to develop the strategy, which will better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

For additional information and resources on sea level rise and climate change impacts, preparation, and adaptation please see Ecology's Impacts, Preparation, Adaptation Web site.

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Upcoming Winter High Tides: A Preview of Future Sea Level Rise

By Spencer Reeder
Seasonal high tides occurring throughout the region over the next week and again in early February will provide a preview of what the state might expect to see on a more regular basis as a result of rising sea levels.

Members of the public who happen to photograph these high tide events are invited to submit their images to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The agency is interested in using these images to help document the coastal impacts our state is likely to face with increasing frequency as sea levels continue to rise.

Images can be submitted to sea level rise, along with the date, time, and detailed location information. Please provide contact information if you'd like us to send you a release form for future publication of your photos.

For those in the Olympia area, there will be a gathering at the Percival Landing waterfront on Monday, January 4th at 8:15 a.m. to observe a potentially 17 foot high tide. For more information, see the Tacoma News Tribune story.

High-tide events will vary by location around the state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) provides detailed information on tide heights and timing, although these can vary significantly depending on weather conditions. See NOAA tide prediction information for complete information on upcoming high-tide events around the state. The National Weather Service provides specific coastal weather conditions.

Increases in global sea levels have been recorded by NOAA tide gauges for many years, and more recent observations have been collected by NASA satellites. The steady rise has been attributed to both a warming of the oceans and contributions from melting glaciers and land-based ice sheets. Climate modeling combined with these direct observations suggest sea level rise will continue well into the future with significant implications for Washington’s more than 3000 miles of marine coastline.

Analysis conducted by the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group and the Washington State Department of Ecology show that increases in sea level in Puget Sound could be as high as 22 inches by mid-century, with upper estimates of more than four feet of rise by 2100.

Understanding the future impacts from sea level rise and creating tools and information to assist local governments and the citizens of the state is a priority for Governor Gregoire and the Department of Ecology. A recent executive order signed by the Governor in May 2009 directed the agency to “evaluate the potential impacts of sea level rise on the state’s shoreline areas.”

For additional information on climate change impacts, preparation, and adaptation please see www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/adaptation.htm