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Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST) Glossary

This glossary contains definitions used by the National Geodetic Survey when attributing the National Shoreline.

    SHORELINE

    The intersection of the land, including man-made waterfront structures, with the water surface. The shoreline depicted on NOS maps and charts represents the line of contact between the land and a selected water elevation. In areas affected by tidal fluctuations, the shoreline is the interpreted mean high water line. In confined coastal water of diminished tidal influence, the mean water level line may be used. In non-tidal waters, the line represents the land/water interface at the time of survey. In areas where the land is obscured by marsh grass, cypress or similar marine vegetation, the actual shoreline can not be accurately represented. Instead, the outer limit line of the vegetation area is delineated (where it would appear to the mariner as the shoreline) and is referred to as the apparent shoreline.

    • Accurate
      A modifier that indicates shoreline delineated in a regular, sufficiently controlled survey of any date. Shoreline features with no accuracy modifier should be considered Accurate unless specified Approximate or Estimated.

    • Apparent
      The outer limit line of a vegetation area, such as marsh or mangrove, delineated as shoreline; the shoreline as it would appear to the mariner.

    • Approximate
      A modifier that indicates shoreline which does not meet the definition of Accurate, but is generally considered to be within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of its correct geographic location. Used to denote shoreline obscured by shadows or line-of-sight blockage, such as under bridges.

    • Bulkhead Or Sea Wall
      An embankment or wall for protection against waves or tidal action along a shore or waterfront.

    • Canal
      An artificial waterway with no flow, or a controlled flow, used for navigation, or for draining or irrigating land.

    • Drydock
      An artificial basin fitted with a gate or caisson, into which vessels can be floated and the water pumped out to expose the vessel's bottom. Also called graving dock.

    • Estimated
      A modifier that indicates shoreline which is generally considered to be outside of 100 feet (30.5 meters) of its correct geographic location .

    • Glacier
      A mass of snow and ice continuously moving from higher to lower ground or, if afloat, continuously spreading.

    • Great Lake Or Lake Or Pond
      The Great Lakes, and other small and large bodies of water entirely surrounded by land, both natural and artificial.

    • Lock
      A wet dock in a waterway, permitting a ship to pass from one level to another.

    • Mangrove Or Cypress
      An area composed of one of several genera of tropical trees or shrubs which produce many prop roots and grow along low lying coasts in shallow water; or a deciduous conifer which thrives in swamps and tidal flows, and is found primarily in the coastal tidewaters of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi.

    • Man-made
      Composed of artificially constructed features or non-natural materials.

    • Marsh Or Swamp
      An area made up of spongy land saturated with water. It may have a shallow covering of water, usually with a considerable amount of vegetation appearing above the surface.

    • Mean High Water
      A tidal datum. The average of all the high water heights observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch (19 years). For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational comparisons are made with a control tide station in order to derive the equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum.

    • Mean Water Level
      A datum. The mean surface elevation as determined by averaging the heights of the water at equal intervals of time, usually hourly. Mean water level is used in areas of little or no range in tide.

    • Natural
      Composed of naturally occurring materials, or created, or appearing to have been created, by natural processes.

    • Navigable
      Affording passage to a craft; capable of being navigated.

    • Non-navigable
      Not affording passage to a craft; incapable of being navigated.

    • Permanent
      Lasting or intended to last indefinitely.

    • Ramp
      A sloping structure that can be used as a landing place, at variable water levels, for small vessels, landing ships, or a ferry boat, or for hauling a cradle carrying a vessel.

    • Rip Rap
      A layer of broken rock, cobbles, boulders, or fragments of sufficient size to resist the erosive forces of flowing water and wave action.

    • River Or Stream
      A course of running water.

    • Ruins
      A structure in a decayed or deteriorated condition resulting from neglect or disuse; a damaged structure in need of repair.

    • Shoreline/Alongshore Feature Boundary
      The demarcation of the inland limit, along the SHORELINE, of an ALONGSHORE FEATURE.

    • Slipway
      A prepared and usually reinforced inclined surface on which keel- and bilge-blocks are laid for supporting a vessel under construction.

    • Undetermined
      Of unspecified and/or unknown composition.

    • Wharf Or Quay
      A structure serving as a berthing place for vessels consisting of a solid or open wall of concrete, masonry, wood, etc.


    ALONGSHORE FEATURE

    An object that intersects, abuts, or is adjacent to and seaward of the shoreline.

    • Bare
      Always dry; not covered at high water under average meteorological conditions.

    • Breakwater
      A structure protecting a shore area, harbor, anchorage, or basin from waves.

    • Bridge
      A structure erected over a depression or an obstacle such as a body of water, railroad, etc., to provide a roadway for vehicles or pedestrians.

    • Covers/Uncovers Or Submerged
      Covered at high water under average meteorological conditions.

    • Fender
      A protective structure designed to cushion the impact of a vessel and prevent damage, for example, cushioning devices adjacent to bridges.

    • Fixed
      Attached to the land or seabed and having a permanent horizontal and vertical alignment.

    • Floating
      Resting on the surface of the water; buoyant.

    • Footbridge
      A bridge structure intended only for pedestrian traffic.

    • Gate
      A moveable barrier across an opening or passageway.

    • Groin
      A low artificial wall-like structure of durable material extending from the land to seaward for a particular purpose, such as to prevent coast erosion.

    • Jetty
      A structure built out into the water to restrain or direct currents, usually to protect a river mouth or harbor entrance from silting.

    • Marine Railway
      A track, usually sloping, for hauling a cradle carrying a vessel out of the water so that the hull can be exposed.

    • Opening
      Refers to a bridge, a portion of which moves to allow marine traffic to pass through the waterway it crosses.

    • Pier
      A long, narrow structure extending into the water to afford a berthing place for vessels, to serve as a promenade, etc.

    • Pontoon
      A floating structure, usually rectangular in shape used, for example, to support a bridge.

    • Ruins
      A structure in a decayed or deteriorated condition resulting from neglect or disuse; a damaged structure in need of repair.

    • Shoreline/Alongshore Feature Boundary
      The demarcation of the inland limit, along the SHORELINE, of an ALONGSHORE FEATURE.

    • Training Wall
      A wall or bank, often submerged, built to direct or confine the flow of a river or tidal current, or to promote a scour action.

    • Under Construction
      In the process of being built.

    • Undetermined Alongshore Feature
      Unspecified and/or unknown type of feature.

    OBSTRUCTION POINT

    In marine navigation, any object, such as a sunken rock or pinnacle, that hinders or prevents movement, particularly anything that endangers or prevents passage of a vessel.

    • Bare
      Always dry; not covered at high water under average meteorological conditions.

    • Coral
      The hard calcareous skeletons of many types of marine polyps.

    • Covers/Uncovers
      Periodically extending above and being submerged below the surface of the water. Also referred to as dries or uncovers.

    • Mast
      A straight vertical piece of timber or a hollow cylinder.

    • Obstruction
      An OBSTRUCTION POINT feature, the nature of which is undetermined or unspecified.

    • Rock
      Any formation of natural origin that constitutes an integral part of the lithosphere. The naturally occurring material that forms firm, hard, and solid masses.

    • Snag Or Stump
      A tree, branch or broken pile embedded in the ocean floor, river, or lake bottom, forming thereby a hazard to vessels.

    • Submerged
      Always under water; covered by water at all times under average meteorological conditions.

    • Wreck
      The ruined remains of a vessel which has been rendered useless.

    OBSTRUCTION LINEAR

    In marine navigation, any continuous, non-isolated danger that hinders or prevents movement, particularly anything that endangers or prevents passage of a vessel.

    • Bare
      Always dry; not covered at high water under average meteorological conditions.

    • Covers/Uncovers
      Periodically extending above and being submerged below the surface of the water. Also referred to as dries or uncovers.

    • Crib
      A permanent structure set in the water, framed with wooden beams and usually filled with rocks or boulders. A crib is generally used to anchor log booms or support other constructions, e.g. submerged outfalls, water intakes, etc.

    • Dangerous
      Perilous, hazardous, or unsafe to maritime navigation.

    • Floating Drydock
      An artificial basin, resting on the surface of the water and fitted with a gate or caisson, into which vessels can be floated and the water pumped out to expose the vessel's bottom. Also called graving dock.

    • Fish Facility
      A structure in shallow water related to the fishing industry.

    • Fish Stakes
      A group of poles or stakes placed in shallow water to outline a fishing ground or to catch fish.

    • Fish Trap
      A structure (usually portable) for catching fish.

    • Floating
      Resting on the surface of the water; buoyant.

    • Floating Barrier
      A structure resting on the surface of the water which may be used to constrain the movement of water-borne objects or materials.

    • Hull
      The main structure of a vessel.

    • Log Boom
      A device used to contain floating timbers.

    • Mineral
      Relating to a structure associated with oil and gas exploration, production, etc.

    • Non-dangerous
      Considered not perilous, hazardous, or unsafe to maritime navigation.

    • Observation
      Relating to a structure which provides visual access to the surrounding area, e.g., a duck blind.

    • Obstruction
      An OBSTRUCTION LINEAR feature, the nature of which is undetermined or unspecified.

    • Oil Barrier
      A floating tube-shaped structure, with a curtain hanging under it, below the surface, which prevents the spread of oil.

    • Permanently Docked Vessel
      A ship or other marine vessel which is attached to a pier, wharf, etc., and which does not or is not intended to move. Examples could include museum ships or floating restaurants.

    • Platform
      A structure erected on or over the seabed.

    • Ruins
      A structure in a decayed or deteriorated condition resulting from neglect or disuse; a damaged structure in need of repair.

    • Submerged
      Always under water; covered by water at all times under average meteorological conditions.

    • Undetermined
      An unspecified and/or unknown type of feature.

    • Wreck
      The ruined remains of a vessel which has been rendered useless.

    FREESTANDING MARINE FEATURE

    A fixed, isolated object consisting of an oblong member or group of members, and related to maritime functions.

    • Bare
      Always dry; not covered at high water under average meteorological conditions.

    • Covers/Uncovers
      Periodically extending above and being submerged below the surface of the water. Also referred to as dries or uncovers.

    • Dolphin
      A post or group of posts used for mooring or warping a vessel, or as an aid to navigation.

    • Pile
      A long heavy timber or section of steel, wood, concrete, etc. forced into the earth, which may serve as a support, as for a pier, or a free standing pole within a marine environment.

    • Ruins
      A structure in a decayed or deteriorated condition resulting from neglect or disuse; a damaged structure in need of repair.

    • Stake
      A thin, elongated wood or metal pole embedded in the bottom to serve as a marker or support.

    • Submerged
      Always under water; covered by water at all times under average meteorological conditions.

    • Tripodal
      A single structure comprising 3 or more piles held together and forced into the earth or seabed.

    LANDMARK

    Any fixed natural or artificial object, generally on land, which is prominent from seaward and can be used in determining a vessel's direction or position. The term excludes objects expressly erected for navigational purposes such as lights or daybeacons.

    • Chimney Or Stack
      A vertical structure containing a passage or flue for discharging smoke and gasses.

    • Cross
      A monument, or other structure in the form of a cross.

    • Dish Antenna
      A parabolic antenna for the receipt and/or transmission of high frequency radio signals.

    • Dome Or Cupola
      A hemispherical or spheroidal structure rising from a building.

    • Flagpole
      A staff or pole on which flags are raised.

    • Flare Stack
      A tall structure used for burning-off waste oil or gas.

    • Grain Elevator
      A structure used for storing grain. Usually a tall frame, metal, or concrete structure with acompartmented interior.

    • Mast
      A straight vertical piece of timber or a hollow cylinder.

    • Other
      Of an unspecified nature.

    • Recommended Landmark
      A fixed object which may be of value for inclusion on a NOAA nautical chart, since it may be useful in determining a vessel's direction or position.

    • Silo
      A cylindrical tower used for storing fodder or grain.

    • Spire Or Minaret
      A tall conical or pyramid-shaped structure often built on the roof or tower of a building, especially a church or mosque.

    • Tank
      A fixed container generally used for storing liquids.

    • Tower
      A relatively tall structure which may be used for observation, support, storage, communication, etc.

    • Water Tower
      A tower with an elevated container used to hold water.

    • Windmill
      A wind driven system of vanes attached to a tower-like structure (excluding wind-generate power plants).

    AID TO NAVIGATION

    A fixed, man-made structure or device designed to assist in determining a vessel's position and safe course, and to warn of dangers or obstructions.

    • Daybeacon
      An unlighted, fixed structure which is equipped with a daymark (a marker presenting one of several standard shapes and colors) for daytime identification.

    • Lighthouse
      A building on some conspicuous point of the coast, a pier or jetty, an island or rock, from which a light is exhibited at night as an aid to navigation.

    • Marine Light
      A luminous device which may be used at night or in poor visibility to assist in maritime navigation.

    • Pile
      A long heavy timber or section of steel, wood, concrete, etc. forced into the earth, which may serve as a support, as for a pier, or a free standing pole within a marine environment.

    • Tower
      A relatively tall structure which may be used for observation, support, storage, communication, etc.

    • Tripodal
      A single structure comprising 3 or more piles held together, and forced into the earth or seabed.

    CULTURAL FEATURE MISCELLANEOUS

    Any man-made object which may be of importance to the mariner, but is not included in other classes.

    • Aerial Cable
      Overhead cables supporting buckets, cable cars, etc.

    • Building
      A relatively permanent structure, roofed and usually walled, designed for some particular use.

    • Cable
      An assembly of wires or fibers, or a wire rope or chain.

    • Conveyor Belt
      A moving chain or band along which material or people are transported.

    • Dam
      A barrier to hold back water and raise its level to form a reservoir, or to prevent flooding.

    • Fence
      A man-made barrier used as an enclosure or boundary, or for protection.

    • Ferry Cable
      The guide cable for a ferry that follows a fixed route.

    • Fort
      A fortified structure, building, or partition able to be defended against an enemy.

    • General Transport
      A device used in the movement of materials or people.

    • Grain Elevator
      A structure used for storing grain. Usually a tall frame, metal, or concrete structure with a compartmented interior.

    • Levee Or Dike
      An artificial embankment to contain or hold back water.

    • Overhead
      Refers to an object which is supported by pylons and passing over or nearby navigable waters.

    • Pipeline
      A string of interconnected pipes used for the transport of matter, usually oil or gas.

    • Silo
      A cylindrical tower used for storing fodder or grain.

    • Submerged
      Always under water; covered by water at all times under average meteorological conditions.

    • Submerged Or Surface
      Refers to an object which lies at or below the water level, or upon the land.

    • Tank

      A fixed container generally used for storing liquids.

    • Wall
      A fence constructed from masonry or stone.

    • Water Tower
      A tower with an elevated container used to hold water.

    • TRANSPORTATION
      The means of carrying, moving, or conveying from one place to another.

    • Abandoned
      No longer used for the purpose intended; disused.

    • Helicopter Pad
      A small designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing/takeoff area, apron/ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing, or parking of helicopters.

    • Path
      A way or track for walking or light vehicle traffic.

    • Railroad
      A set of parallel rails on which a train or tram runs.

    • Road
      An open way with a prepared surface for the passage of vehicles.

    • Runway
      A defined rectangular area on a land airport prepared for the landing and takeoff run of aircraft along its length.

    • Tunnel Entrance
      The visible terminus of a passage that is buried under the seabed, laid over the sea floor, or bored under the ground.

    NATURAL FEATURE MISCELLANEOUS

    Any non-man-made object which may be of importance to the mariner, but is not included in other classes.

    • Cliff Or Bluff
      A line marking the top of a slope that rises abruptly for a considerable distance above the water or surrounding land.

    • Extent
      The spatial limits of an area feature.

    • Glacier
      A mass of snow and ice continuously moving from higher to lower ground or, if afloat, continuously spreading.

    • Intermittent
      Recurring at intervals.

    • Landslide
      The scar left by a mass of land which has slid down a steep slope; may include the mass of land which has so slid.

    • Lava
      The substance that results from the cooling of molten rock.

    • Mangrove Or Cypress
      An area composed of one of several genera of tropical trees or shrubs which produce many prop roots and grow along low lying coasts in shallow water; or a deciduous conifer which thrives in swamps and tidal flows, and is found primarily in the coastal tidewaters of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi.

    • Marsh Or Swamp
      An area made up of spongy land saturated with water. It may have a shallow covering of water, usually with a considerable amount of vegetation appearing above the surface.

    • Moraine
      Any accumulation of loose material deposited by a glacier.

    • Perennial
      Lasting indefinitely; enduring.

    • Rapids
      Any portion of a stream with accelerated current, descending rapidly, but without a break in the slope of the bed sufficient to form a waterfall.

    • Sand Dune
      A mound, ridge, or hill of drifted sand along the coast.

    • Stream
      A course of running water.

    • Waterfall
      A sudden descent of water over a step in the bed of a river.

    DANGER AREA

    A spatial extent in the marine environment which may contain hazards or perils to maritime navigation.

    • Bare
      Always dry; not covered at high water under average meteorological conditions.

    • Breakers
      Waves that break over areas of shallow water.

    • Covers/Uncovers
      Periodically extending above and being submerged below the surface of the water. Also referred to as dries or uncovers.

    • Foul
      An area of numerous unidentified dangers to navigation which are not individually located.

    • Ledge
      A rocky formation continuous with and fringing the shore.

    • Reef
      A rocky or coral elevation dangerous to surface navigation which may or may not uncover at the sounding datum. A rocky reef is always detached from shore; a coral reef may or may not be connected with the shore.

    • Shallow
      An area composed of unconsolidated material where the depth of water is relatively less than its surroundings.

    • Shoal
      An offshore hazard to surface navigation that is composed of unconsolidated material.

    • Submerged
      Always under water; covered by water at all times under average meteorological conditions.

    • Wreckage
      The scattered remains of one or more stranded or sunken vessels.

    AQUATIC VEGETATION AREA

    A spatial extent in the marine environment characterized by the presence of living plant matter which in its natural form grows under water or is inundated with water.

    • Grass In Water
      A non-woody stemmed vascular plant (which may or may not be a true grass) which is attached to the bottom below the sounding datum.

    • Kelp
      A giant plant sometimes 60 meters long with no roots, it is anchored by hold-fasts or tendrils up to 10 meters long, that cling to rock. Gas filled bubbles on fronds act as floats keeping the kelp just below the surface.

    • Sea Grass
      Marine flowering plant which usually grows in shallow, subtidal, or intertidal unconsolidated sediments. Eelgrass is one of the best known examples.

    CONTOUR

    A line connecting points of equal value.

    • Accurate
      A modifier that indicates contours delineated in a regular, sufficiently controlled survey of any date. Contour features with no accuracy modifier should be considered Accurate unless specified Approximate

    • Approximate
      A modifier that indicates a contour which does not meet the definition ofAccurate, but is generally considered to be within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of its correct geographic location. Used to denote contours obscured by shadows or line-of-sight blockage, such as under bridges.

    • Depth Contour
      A line connecting points of equal water depth.

    • Elevation Contour
      A line connecting points of equal elevation.

    VERTICAL MEASUREMENT

    An expression of the distance of an isolated point above or below a specified datum.

    • Coral
      The hard calcareous skeletons of many types of marine polyps.

    • Obstruction
      In marine navigation, any object, the nature of which is undetermined, that hinders or prevents movement, particularly anything that endangers or prevents passage of a vessel.

    • Rock
      Any formation of natural origin that constitutes an integral part of the lithosphere. The naturally occurring material that forms firm, hard, and solid masses.

    • Sounding
      Measured or charted depth of water.

    • Spot Elevation
      A measured point indicating the height above a specified vertical datum.

    • Wreck
      The ruined remains of a vessel which has been rendered useless.

    CARTOGRAPHIC LIMIT

    A line connecting points of equal water depth.

    • Elevation Contour
      A user-defined line drawn for cartographic convention or due to source data limitations.

    • Feature Limit
      The extent of feature delineation.

    • Low Visibility Limit
      The extent of compilation restrictions due to an obscured or inadequate data source.

    • Source Data Limit
      The extent of the data source used for compilation.

    • User Added Line
      A connection of linear features created during the GIS processing to eliminate gaps for the purpose of maintaining continuity.

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