King Tide Photo Challenge

Take the king tide photo challenge and help us map Key West’s rising water levels. Using smartphones and social media, the public is invited to document the upcoming king tide – the extreme high tides that will likely be the average water levels of the future. These pictures help local government plan for future flood risks, and give the community a means to participate directly in the science that will drive future decisions.

 

In the fall, the regular high tides in the Keys reach new heights. The proximity of the moon exacerbates current sea level rise and produces much higher than normal flooding. From November 3-7, the high tides will reach around2.5 feet above sea level. Winds during this period will further push tides higher along the northeast sides of the islands.

King tide images offer a living record of the changes to our coasts as well as a glimpse of what our daily tides may look like in the future as a result of sea level rise. The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counties — consisting of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach — are planning for an additional 4-8 inches of sea level rise by 2030 and 12-32 inches by 2060, and 29-79 inches by 2100.

Building a photographic library of current flood conditions due to natural events, like high tides, is an important step to addressing the most vulnerable areas.  Here’s how you can help:

1) Pick your site(s): We want photos from all over the Keys! It is important to choose a site that is both low and recognizable as a “usually above ground” spot. Especially important are areas near your neighborhood that most people might not know about.  

2) Time Your tide: It is important to be there at the highest tide for the best photo. Once you have chosen your area, check the tide chart for the right time for your area (high tide time can vary by up to an hour depending on location in the Keys. Tides can be checked at www.saltwatertides.com

3) Submit it: Email your best photos to [email protected]. We will web-post the best shots on Facebook and on our Google Map.

King tides photo contests began in Queensland, Australia in 2009 and are now held in at least three countries and ten states in the US.  King tides are not related to climate change and are not sea level rise. The term “king tide” is a non-scientific term used to describe naturally occurring, exceptionally high tides that take place when the sun and moon’s gravitational pull align making the oceans bulge.

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