Water level variations along the outer Great Barrier Reef (1985-1988)

Updated: 2017-11-20

Tide Gauges were deployed at 6 stations along the outer Great Barrier Reef (Harrington Reef, Raine Island, Creech Reef, Reef No. 17-065, Reef No. 19-151 and Gannet Cay) and 2 stations in the Coral Sea (Willis Island and Flinders Cay). Sea level measurements along the outer Great Barrier Reef allow improved forcing and validation of hydrodynamic models. The presence of outer shelf reef platforms allow these observations to be made economically. Long term tidal height analysis also improves long term sea level predictions. Appropriately paired gauges with coastal or Coral Sea reefs can provide an estimate of geostrophic currents and a proxy for the EAC.