Definitions

High Tide

Same as high water. The maximum height reached by a rising tide. The high tide is due to the periodic tidal forces and the effects of meteorological, hydrological, and/or oceanographic conditions.

Low Tide

Same as low water. The minimum height reached by a falling tide. The low tide is due to the periodic tidal forces and the effects of meteorological, hydrological, and/or oceanographic conditions.

Lunar Day.

The mean lunar day is approximately 24.84 hours in length. The time of the rotation of the Earth with respect to the Moon.

Lunar Month.

The lunar month is approximately 29.53 days in length. It is the average period of revolution of the Moon around the Earth with repect to the Sun, or the average interval between corresponding phases of the Moon. Same as the synodical month.

Lunar (Moon) Phase.

Cyclically recurring apparent forms of the Moon.

New Moon.

The moon is NOT illuminated by direct sunlight. (For the purposes of the predictions provided here, the percent (%) moon illuminated would be close to 0%.)

First Quarter.

One-half of the moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. (For the purposes of the predictions provided here, the percent (%) moon illuminated would be close to 50% and increasing.)

Full Moon.

The visible moon is fully illuminated by direct sunlight. (For the purposes of the predictions provided here, the percent (%) moon illuminated would be close to 100%.)

Last Quarter.

One-half of the moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. (For the purposes of the predictions provided here, the percent (%) moon illuminated would be close to 50% and decreasing.)

References

• Tide and Current Glossary, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA/NOS, 1989.
• U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications website: www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/

Useful and Interesting Websites

• NOAA's website for tides: NOAA Tides & Currents.
• U.S. Navy Observatory website: United States Naval Observatory.

Shellfish Harvesting (Clamming) Health Information

• General and Washington State specific information: Washington State Department of Health.
• General and Oregon State specific information: Oregon Department of Agriculture.
• General and Maryland State specific information: Maryland Dept. of the Environment.
• General and Virginia State specific information: Virginia Department of Health.

State Fishing Regulatory Agencies

• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
• Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• Maine Department of Marine Resources
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• Massachusetts Dept. of Fish and Game
• Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
• New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
• New Jersey Div. of Fish and Wildlife
• New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
• N. Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
• Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
• Potomac River Fisheries Commission
• State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
• S. Carolina Department of Natural Resources
• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Virginia Marine Resources Commission
• Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

Go to the tide region selection page.

www.saltwatertides.com

© 1999-2024 Tide High and Low, Inc.