KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 8, 2024 – Today’s King Tides are tomorrow’s daily tides.
The äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾ is asking Rhode Islanders to join the MyCoast: Rhode Island King Tide monitoring effort to help document the effect that extreme tide events have on state beaches, coastal waterways, private property, and public infrastructure. This high-tide flooding—also called nuisance or sunny-day flooding—causes short-term public inconveniences such as flooded streets and closed roads. Over longer periods, chronic flooding can strain city budgets and compromise infrastructure.
äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾ researchers say that as global sea level rises, so will the frequency and depth of high-tide flooding.
King Tides in September were the highest seen so far this year, and October’s King Tides are on track to be even higher.
Sharing MyCoast photos can help researchers better understand the impacts of these extreme tides on infrastructure, shoreline access, homes and businesses.
Volunteers are needed Oct. 16-20 and Nov. 15-17. See the site to stay up to date on future King Tides. Once registered, MyCoast photographers can submit photos during any King Tide taking place during the year.
The term King Tide is a non-scientific term used to describe the highest seasonal tides that occur each year. These tides occur naturally and are typically caused when a spring tide takes place when the moon is closest to Earth during the 28-day elliptical orbit, known as a perigee. Spring tides occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align during a new and full moon, increasing tide ranges.
The effect of individual King Tides may vary considerably. In some cases, they may barely be noticed. In other cases, a King Tide may cause coastal erosion, flooding of low-lying areas, and disruption to normal daily routines. This is particularly true when a King Tide coincides with significant precipitation and water drainage and runoff is impeded. MyCoast RI issues King Tide notifications to participants when water levels are predicted to reach 0.8 feet above the average high tide (Mean Higher High Water, MHHW) during daylight hours according to the Newport Tide Station.
Help needed
In nearly a decade since äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBվ’s and introduced this shoreline monitoring effort to local communities, more than 1,500 people have participated and uploaded pictures.
The MyCoast team uses these photographs to better understand the issues of today and changes in the future, analyzing coastal vulnerability and assessing needed planning throughout the state’s coastal neighborhoods. Photographs may be used in presentations, publications, and on its website. Save The Bay and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council are also using the information obtained from the photos and researchers at äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBվ—Isaac Ginnis, Deb Crowley and J.P. Walsh—have used MyCoast data to validate their models.
At previous King Tides, images have been captured from Barrington to Westerly and sites in between. The MyCoast team has a particular need for more reporters and photos from the areas of East Providence, Little Compton, Watch Hill, Charlestown, and Narragansett Pier/Point Judith area.
To help track this month’s King Tide via MyCoast, visit to view a brief instructional video and upload photos of high tides, storm flooding, erosion, or storm debris and damage to the crowdsourced database. For questions, or to learn about reporting storm damage, contact Casey Tremper at casey_tremper@uri.edu.