Precise Hydrodynamic Leveling by Using Pressure Gauges

Abstract

This study investigates the applicability of hydrodynamic leveling by means of contemporary pressure gauges for achieving geodetic accuracy in height determination. The main problems associated with pressure gauges are rigorous connection to a national leveling network and data processing, for example, determination of time-dependent drift and data filtering principles. The equipment and methodology were tested in a test area in the Baltic Sea. It can be concluded that the year-long sea level series may provide ±2.0 cm accuracy for hydrodynamic leveling within the water stretches up to 65 km. This is confirmed by alternative height determination methods and additional field experiments.

Keywords:

• Hydrodynamic leveling
• pressure gauges
• time-dependent drift

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by the Estonian Science Foundation grant ETF 8749: Determination of height reference frame on the Estonian coastal sea using water lever monitoring and laser scanning data. The Estonian Land Board financed the installation and operation of pressure gauges and their connection to the national leveling network.