Madeira Beach, Florida
Coastal, Oceanographic and Meteorological Data

This page contains near real-time meteorological, oceanographic, and coastal data collected by a camera system, a wave buoy, and pressure and temperature sensors deployed at Madeira Beach, Florida. These instruments were installed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) beginning in November 2017 to research coastal change hazards and to develop real-time forecasts of coastal water levels and the probability of erosion. The camera system collects information along the coast of Madeira Public Beach. The wave buoy is located 18 mi (29 km) off the shore of Madeira Beach, along with two pressure sensors and one temperature sensor installed at a depth of 68 ft (20.7 m).

The map below shows the location of the wave buoy deployment site and camera system. Additional survey details are available here from the USGS Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System (CMGDS). These data will be used to assess the skill of the USGS Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast. Additional information about this project are available at the Real-time Forecasts of Coastal Change and Coastal Change Hazards Portal. All times on this page are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.



Oceanographic data

Surface wave buoys measure the changes in elevation of the sea surface as waves pass by the buoy. The buoys record accelerations and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. These data are analyzed to calculate information describing the waves including:

The buoy deployed in Madeira Beach is a SoFar Spotter buoy located at 27.7165°N, 83.095°W, 18 mi (29 km) off the shore at 28 ft (20.7 m) depth. Spotter is a basketball-sized buoy that collects and transmits real-time data of waves, winds, sea surface temperature and barometric pressure. The wave buoy samples changes in water surface elevation at a rate of 2.5 samples per second for 30 minutes and computes the distribution of energy across different wave periods and directions. The data are stored on the buoy and used to calculate the height, period, direction, and directional spread of the waves, which are transmitted hourly via satellite communications. The buoy is connected to a SoFar Smart Mooring device with an underwater temperature and pressure sensor near the seafloor that measures water level including (waves, tides, and storm surge). These observations will help test and improve USGS computer models for predicting water levels that are used in nation-wide forecasts of coastal vulnerability.

Coastal data

Remote video cameras are a powerful tool to continuously monitor long stretches of coast. A camera system provides hourly estimates of coastal water levels influenced by tides, winds, waves, and changes at the coast. The systems used by USGS consist of two video cameras I2Argus, developed by Corporate Express, Inc., housed in a weather-proof case mounted with a seaward view and a minicomputer wired to the camera and stored in a sheltered location. The minicomputer is solar-powered and runs automatically with cellular internet connection. At regular intervals, during daylight hours, the camera takes snapshots and videos from which several products are created, such as time exposure images. This type of data collection has been successful at numerous sites around the world and can be used to examine a range of coastal information, including waves, regular and extreme water level statistics, shoreline position, sandbar position and movement, rip current presence, and coastal changes. The following types of images can be obtained by processing the data from the camera system:

The camera system in Madeira Beach was installed on a pole with coordinates 27.7962°N, 82.7961°W at a height of 62.3 ft (19 m), with a view of Madeira Public Beach. Below are the products generated at this site.

Hurricane Rapid Deployment

The USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center rapidly deploys pressure loggers to measure water level during storms. To download the water level data visit the USGS Flood Event Viewer.

Maximum Water Level

Contact Us

Meg Palmsten
mpalmsten@usgs.gov
727-502-8018
Mark Buckley
mbuckley@usgs.gov
727-502-8024
Legna Torres-García
ltorresgarcia@usgs.gov
727-502-8105