Tidal range

Tidal range is the vertical difference between high-water and low-water levels during a tidal cycle at a particular location. It varies with lunar and solar forcing, local geography, and weather.

Tide: The periodic rise and fall of sea level caused mainly by the Moon’s and Sun’s gravitational forces. Tidal range measures the vertical extent of a tide at one location.
High water: The state or time when the tide reaches its greatest height during a tidal cycle. One endpoint of the vertical difference that defines tidal range.
Tidal power: Electricity generation that harnesses energy from periodic tidal flows or differences in water level. A large range can provide a useful height difference for barrage-based generation.
Tidal prism: The volume of water entering or leaving an estuary or inlet between high and low water. It measures exchanged volume, not the vertical height difference.
Spring tide: A tide with an especially large range, occurring near new and full moons. Aligned lunar and solar forces tend to widen the range.
Low water: The state or time when the tide reaches its least height during a tidal cycle. The other endpoint of the range measurement.
Tidal barrage: A barrier across an estuary that generates electricity by controlling water flow through turbines. Its operating head depends directly on the water-level difference across the barrier.
Tidal current: A horizontal movement of water caused by the rising and falling tide. Current speed describes water motion, while range describes water-level change.
Neap tide: A tide with a relatively small range, occurring near the Moon’s first and third quarters. The Moon and Sun pull at right angles, reducing the range.
Tidal datum: A reference elevation derived from observed or predicted tide levels and used for coastal measurements. A consistent datum makes water-level heights comparable across observations.

Linked from 39 pages