Bottentider

Bottentider refers to the times at which the water level at a coast, harbor, or shore is at its lowest. The term is used in maritime and coastal contexts and is closely related to high tide times. Bottentider are part of the tidal cycle, driven by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun, and they occur roughly twice every tidal day in many locations, though the exact timing varies with geography and lunar position.

Bottentider are predicted using tide tables and harmonic models that account for local bathymetry, coastline shape, and ocean floor. Modern predictions are published by government hydrographic offices and other marine agencies and are available in printed almanacs, online portals, and apps. Tide predictions often include the daily low tide time, the expected water level (height), and the tidal range, which is the difference between high and low tides.

Geographic variation is common: some coastlines experience semi-diurnal tides with two nearly equal low tides per day, others have diurnal patterns with a single low tide, and some areas exhibit mixed patterns. Coastal communities use bottentider to plan docking, anchorage, beach safety, fishing, and coastal management. Extreme cases, such as regions with especially large tidal ranges, can see substantial changes in water depth between low tide and high tide, affecting navigation and access to tidal flats.

See also: high tide times, tidal range, tidal prediction, neap and spring tides. Bottentider are a practical tool for maritime operations and coastal planning, reflecting the regular yet location-specific nature of tides.