Upgraded Measuring Standard Improves Accuracy of Water Level Data

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is upgrading the reference system used to measure water elevations. Water elevation readings, also known as water level readings, will soon be reported in the newer North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) instead of the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29).

The SFWMD will shift from displaying water elevation readings in the NGVD 29 measurement system to the newer NAVD 88 measurement system. This includes data within the SFWMD's DBHYDRO environmental database for hydrologic, meteorologic, hydrogeologic and water quality data. The shift will be fully implemented within the next week. When the shift is fully implemented, measurements will be published exclusively in NAVD 88. However, for a period of time, the SFWMD will maintain both measurements in our environmental database.

The upgrade will provide the public and stakeholders more scientifically accurate information about levels for waterbodies in our region. While there is no difference in the actual water level, the water level readings in the NAVD88 measurement system will read about 0.6 feet to 1.6 feet less than the readings in the older NGVD29 measurement system.

Managing water levels in South Florida is critical to the SFWMD's mission. Technological advancements incorporated into the newer NAVD 88 standard have created the ability for greater accuracy when measuring and recording water level data and more precision when determining how much water must be moved from one elevation to another.

To learn more about the NAVD 88 measuring standard and its improved accuracy for water level data, please visit SFWMD.gov/NAVD.