Evaluation of the Use of GPS to Determine Water Slope and Tide Levels

Alan G. Evans, Christopher S. Law, Carl A. Lanigan and Jon F. Burgess

Abstract:	A test is being conducted to determine both dynamic water slope and water level over a lo-km baseline on the Potomac River between Dahlgren and Colonial Beach, Virginia. The objective of the test is to demonstrate the accuracy to which these quantities can be obtained using Global Positioning System (GPS) kinematic relative positioning techniques. Here, externally developed kinematic phase ambiguity resolution software is used to obtain precise relative heights. With oceanographic corrections, averaged values of water slope and level will potentially lead to using GPS to determine gravity vertical deflections and a more accurate geoid model at sea. Four GPS receivers are used in the test: two with antennas on top of buoys and two near survey marks at each end of the baseline. Vertical height truth data is provided by two means. First, vertical measuring rods are attached to each buoy. Survey leveling equipment is used to determine the dynamic height of both buoys with respect to the on land survey marks. Here, special time tagged- video camera recorder (VCR) equipment is attached to the surveying equipment to enable posttest stationary image readings of rod heights. Second, tide gauge data at Colonial Beach is supplied by the National Ocean Service. Results of the test are herein presented.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 5th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1992) September 16 - 18, 1992 Albuquerque, NM
Pages:	297 - 306
Cite this article:	Evans, Alan G., Law, Christopher S., Lanigan, Carl A., Burgess, Jon F., "Evaluation of the Use of GPS to Determine Water Slope and Tide Levels," Proceedings of the 5th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1992), Albuquerque, NM, September 1992, pp. 297-306.
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