Changing Tides of Wellfleet

In Wellfleet, the average difference between high and low tide is 10 feet.  If you are a boater, this is important information as the boat ramp is closed for one hour on either side of Mean Low Tide. When the tide is high enough, the bridge going out to Lieutenant’s Island will be covered and impassable. At low tide on the bay side, you can watch the shell fishermen working their beds of oysters and clams.   At low tide more of a flat area exists on the beach for children to play, while at high tide, the water becomes deep quickly.   

The tide is the alternate rising and falling of the surface of the ocean and of connected water bodies.  High tide is when the water is at its greatest elevation.  Low tide is when the ebb is at its furthest point.  Tides are caused by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon occurring unequally on different parts of the earth.

 

So . . . it is important to know your tide times.  The tide changes every six hours.
So . . . if it is high tide at about 12 noon, then it will be low tide at about 6 pm.
Also, everyday gains an hour.  So . . . if it was high tide on Saturday at 12 noon,
then on Sunday, high tide will be at 1 pm.  

When storms hit the area, more on shore damage will be done
if the high winds strike at high tide rather than at low tide.  
by Keith Scott / Mignon Barry