September 21 - Front St, Beaufort

Share Your Photos

Using the Coastal Observer App

share your photos Using the Coastal Observer App

Download the Coastal Observer app. It’s free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Step 1

Hit “+” at the bottom center of the screen to add an observation or photo.

Coastal Observer screenshot 1

Step 2

Select “Water Level” under “What do you want to spot?”

Coastal Observer screenshot 2
Select “Water Level” for observations of high, normal, or low water levels. But, within this app, you can also add water scenes, water quality, or weather observations.

Step 3

Add context to your observation.

Coastal Observer screenshot 3
Answer additional questions about the setting, water level ranking, what is affected, the cause, the severity, and how you feel. These questions are optional.

Step 4

If you’re at a fixed gauge, add your measurement.

Coastal Observer screenshot 4
Click “Is there a fixed gauge?” if you are at a fixed NC King Tides, USGS, or other gauge. Then, enter the measurement from the gauge.

Step 5

Add your photo and hit save!

Coastal Observer screenshot 5
You can take a new photo or add one from your phone’s photo library. In the optional box, enter in any additional information or context.  Then hit save, and you’re done!

As always, remember that your safety is the top priority, so take care as you go out and take photos.

Plan Your Photo Shoot

  • Consider taking photos during high and/or low tide. Check the Calendar page for the next King Tides event.
  • Try to incorporate a vertically stable object, such as a piling, or try using a ruler, in the photo.
    • This gives us a water level reference and helps identify where the photo was taken
  • All shots are interesting and welcome!
    • We are particularly interested in pictures of public places that the community will recognize
    • If we know where your photo was taken we can return to that location to collect additional data

Getting that special picture is not worth an injury! 

Be alert to slippery surfaces, currents, waves, and weather!Please remember that your safety is the number one priority!

Bring a friend! They can hold a ruler in your shot!
This photo does a good job of including a vertical benchmark that can be used to measure how high the water reached.
Take before and after photos to compare water levels during different tides.