peilstand

Peilstand is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to denote the water level—the vertical position of the surface of a body of water relative to a fixed reference datum. It describes how high or low the water surface stands at a given location and moment, and can refer to instantaneous readings or longer-term averages such as mean water level.

Peilstand is measured with instruments such as tide gauges or shore-based sensors that record the height of the water relative to a chosen zero, often mean sea level or another local datum. Measurements can be reported as instantaneous values, hourly values, daily means, or as indicators of high water and low water. Observations are frequently presented as hydrographs showing how the water level changes over time, influenced by tides, river discharge, waves, rainfall, and atmospheric pressure.

Applications of peilstand data are wide-ranging. In navigation and harbor operations, accurate water levels are essential for safe vessel movement and channel depth assessments. In flood risk management and hydrological planning, peilstand informs flood forecasting, dam operations, and reservoir management. Coastal engineering and climate adaptation projects rely on water level records to design seawalls, tidal barriers, and drainage systems. Long-term records support sea level rise assessment and hydrological modeling.

Data on peilstand are usually collected by national hydrometeorological or hydrographic authorities and are often publicly accessible. They provide a basis for real-time monitoring, historical analysis, and forecasting, helping authorities and stakeholders respond to daily changes and emerging coastal or riverine risks.