Surf Observations Along the United States’ Coasts

The surf observation program at the U. S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC), formerly the Beach Erosion Board (BEB), U. S. Corps of Engineers is a cooperative project with the U. S. Coast Guard which was established in 1954. Initially 27 Coast Guard Stations located at various points along the three coasts of the United States participated in this program. The personnel at these stations make visual observations of the surf according to prescribed methods at 4-hr intervals, visibility permitting. These observations are recorded on standard forms developed by CERC and mailed to them weekly. CERC is analysing these data in statistical form from each surf station by Automatic Data Processing Methods with plans to publish these data in Technical Memorandums. Previously, BEB published surf observation data in statistical form in TM 108 and Annual Bulletin Volume 16.