The short answer
A tide-table height belongs to a station, date, time convention and datum. Read those labels before using a high or low tide prediction.
Three labels to check
A usable prediction names its reference station, local time convention and height datum. Our tables retain NOAA station IDs and present high and low predictions in local station time. Heights are feet relative to MLLW.
Plan one day at a time
Choose a station and date in the planner. Read the events in time order. A high-water event is the predicted peak at that reference station; the next low-water event is the predicted trough. Days do not necessarily contain two of each.
What the height means
MLLW is a local tidal reference. A prediction of two feet is not a two-foot depth at your exact position. Water depth also depends on the ground elevation, the chart reference and conditions at the location.
Keep a separate conditions check
The prediction is astronomical. It does not include every effect of wind, pressure, waves or river flow. For a beach visit or boating decision, check relevant forecasts and official local advice as well as the tide table.
Your next steps
- Check the station name and ID.
- Check the date and local time label.
- Read height with the MLLW datum.
- Check weather and actual conditions separately.
Common questions
What does MLLW mean on a tide chart?
Mean Lower Low Water is a local reference based on lower daily low tides over a tidal epoch.
Does a tide prediction include storm surge?
Astronomical predictions do not predict short-term weather effects. Consult observations and relevant forecasts separately.
Sources and editorial record
Prepared with AI assistance from the linked sources. Independent human review pending. “Public Atlas Editorial” is a publication label. First edition: 2026-09-28. Scheduled source review: 2026-10-28. Data examples update with their source snapshots; the guide text is versioned separately.
Changes to this guide
- 2026-09-28 — First AI-assisted edition published with source links and review status disclosed.
- 2026-09-28 — Added a locator for all seven NOAA reference stations and coordinate table.
- 2026-09-29 — Added focused reader questions and concise answers with source links; checked primary-source guidance and retained pending human review.