The Texas coastal ocean observation network

Tidal Datums are utilized in the determination of littoral boundaries differentiating state owned lowlands and privately owned uplands along the Texas Coastal shoreline. The collection of water level data for the purposes of establishing these datums became critical during a dispute between the State of Texas and a private land owner. The Texas General Land Office (TGLO) in partnership with the CBI at TAMUCC began the installation of a network of water level data collection stations in 1989. The Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network (TCOON) came into existence in 1991 with the acceptance of a bill that identified the TCOON as a network that would collect data and information utilized for the management and protection of state resources along the Texas Coast. Since 1989, CBI has implemented numerous changes, upgrades, updates, and the installation of many new systems that now make up the TCOON. As of 2014, the TCOON consists of 30 data collection systems operating continuously to standards developed by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS). With the initial installation, CBI began the development of a database that is capable of collecting and archiving the data collected by the stations that make up the TCOON. Since the early 1990's, the database and related software has grown into CBI's PHAROS. The network and database operate in concert, both performing specific functions required with the primary purpose of the production of Water Level Datum's and providing coastal information to a broad range of users. All TCOON stations are installed, operated, and maintained following the CO-OPS standards. Related data processing software are designed as well to follow related standards and processes. The Systems are installed remotely and the data is transferred back to the CBI and the PHAROS via automated processes relying on various communication channels, including satellite transmission and IP modems. The database is then tasked with various functions to include archival, processing, and dissemination of the data. Using PHAROS automated capabilities; the CBI processes water level data and produces Tidal Datums. The capabilities of PHAROS are extensive, performing internal functions such as collection and archival of all data collected in its raw format, QA/QC of the datasets to identify and remove erroneous data, archival of all relevant information about the data collection system, its components, systems, and operation. The end result of these activities is user friendly access to high quality time series of Environmental and Oceanographic data sets with data lengths now over 20 years for several locations. Along with the sponsors of the network, the general public, educators, researchers, industry, and the recreational user all have access to the data. Specific products can and are produced for a fee should a user require data in a specific format or via specific medium other that those provided. The CBI has produced Web and Mobile Apps to support specific industry requests, and provide data to researchers in addition to internal use of the data for research in modeling and other environmental applications. The TCOON, PHAROS, and the primary components of each system are discussed within this publication.