The complex tides of the Torres Straits

Abstract

In 2008 a pioneering bathymetric LIDAR survey of the Torres Straits was undertaken. Due to the ever finer spatial details in the data and complex tidal regime, extensive water level data was collected at 19 stations to allow the reduction of the LiDAR survey data. A model with the ability to provide the water level at any location and instance in time was developed to replace the traditional tidal correction method of discrete tide zoning. This paper presents the results of this data collection program and describes techniques that were used to analyze and predict water levels in the region, which are some of the most complex ever monitored.