Mean high water springs
Appearance
The mean high water springs (MHWS) is the highest level that spring tides reach on the average over a period of time (often 19 years). The height of mean high water springs is the average throughout the year (when the average maximum declination of the moon is 23.5°) of two successive high waters during those periods of 24 hours when the range of the tide is at its greatest.[1]
This level is generally close to being the "high water mark" where debris accumulates on the shore annually.
References
External links
- Definitions of various tide related terms on the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory site.