Standniveau

Standniveau is a term used in German-speaking technical fields to denote a fixed reference elevation used for vertical measurements. The word combines Stand (position, reference point) and Niveau (level). A Standniveau acts as a benchmark against which other heights are measured, enabling consistent comparisons across sites, times, and instruments.

Typically, the Standniveau is defined by a datum. This can be a national or local standard such as mean sea level or a locally established benchmark network. In practice, elevations of terrain, buildings, or hydrological levels (such as water levels in gauges) are quoted as heights above the Standniveau. In geodesy and surveying, Standniveau forms part of the vertical control and is linked to a height system (datum) via known offsets or geoid models.

Applications include surveying and mapping, civil engineering and construction, water management and hydrology, and GIS data organization. When reporting heights, the chosen Standniveau should be specified, including the datum name and any corrections for tide, drift, or geoid separation.

Limitations: Standniveau is subject to changes in the underlying datum (e.g., sea level fluctuations, geoid models) and thus may require periodic updates or conversions. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with terms such as reference level or benchmark level in specific regions, though its exact meaning depends on local conventions.

See also: Datum, Reference level, Normalnull, Normalhöhennull, Geodetic datum.