Questions to Consider for the H2O Project

Why do tidal levels differ throughout the day and what are the reasons for measuring the levels?

There are two main tidal levels that can be viewed throughout the day, high tide and low tide. Each level occur usually twice a day. Gravity pulls the earth's water toward it's surface, but gravity of the sun and moon effect the surfaces of water by creating tides, as explained by NOAA's Tides & Currents "Our Restless Tides."

"High tides are produced in the ocean waters by the "heaping" action resulting from the horizontal flow of water toward two regions of the earth representing positions of maximum attraction of combined lunar and solar gravitational forces. Low tides are created by a compensating maximum withdrawal of water from regions around the earth midway between these two humps. The alternation of high and low tides is caused by the daily (or diurnal) rotation of the earth with respect to these two tidal humps and two tidal depressions."

Predicting tide levels can allow researchers to study different species of tide pool animals. During high tides, less land is exposed to the seeing eye. During this time many creatures hunt for food because of the larger area of water. Sea anemones and barnacles open their mouths to trap smaller unsuspecting organisms. During low tides, more land is exposed, allowing one to see a wider variety of tidal creatures.
Measuring the tide levels can help predict storms and hurricanes. Being able to tell the path of a storm or hurricane can save lives.

Measuring tide levels can help ships coordinate the best times to navigate through certain areas of the ocean. The NOAA Tides & Currents "Why Measure Water Levels," states,

"In order to pass safely over the more shallow areas within a harbor or shipping channel the ship's captain must know the total water depth beneath the keel of the ship. The nautical chart will show the depth of water relative to a standard datum level (in the U.S. this is Mean Lower Low Water)."

What were the reasons for the water testing budget cut and what future repercussions might this have on the California coastal public?

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently cut the funding for state wide water testing for California shorelines. Each year California was granted about $1,000,000 to test bacteria levels in 17 different coastal counties. In its "2008 California Summer Beach Report Card," the nonprofit organization, Heal The Bay, stated,

"...California’s current budget crisis has resulted in drastic funding cuts to AB 411 implementation programs. Among Governor Schwarzenegger’s line item vetoes in the approved budget is a complete elimination of state beach water quality monitoring funds for local entities."

For the past ten years, the funding for water testing has provided the basis of information for beach closures and advisories due to high bacteria levels. In the article, "State Water Panel to vote on $2 Million for Monitoring Beaches," the LA Times states,

"San Diego County was one of the hardest hit by the veto, losing $302,000 -- which wiped out its dry season water quality program. Without the state funding, the program shut down for the final weeks of October, ending warnings about polluted beaches and daily e-mail and podcast water quality updates."

Many critics and environmental advocates criticize the Governor's decision to cut funding for water testing, highlighting that the elimination of the budget puts beachgoers at risk.

Although the water testing budget has been cut, the LA Times reported in it's article, "State Water Panel to vote on $2 Million for Monitoring Beaches," that the Governor has recently called for the State Water Resources Control Board to vote to distribute $2,000,000 among coastal counties. The money would provide the funding for water testing over a two year period.