The Coastal Oceanography Group (COG) manages the Bodega Ocean Observing Node (BOON), a long-term coastal ocean observing system centered at Bodega Marine Laboratory focused on the coasts of northern California. The COG operating area includes San Mateo County north to Humboldt County, with emphasis on the upwelling region from Point Reyes to Point Arena. BOON is a component of larger regional (CeNCOOS), national (IOOS) and global observing systems (GOOS).

Sea surface currents are measured with compact high frequency radar systems that use frequency modulated continuous wave signal processing and crossloop direction finding to measure the speed and direction of surface currents and waves of the coastal ocean. The Coastal Oceanography Group operates 10 of these systems within a national network of similar observations.

Coastal flooding in California’s bays and estuaries is increasing with rising sea levels and continued development. This project delivers real-time, site-specific water level data from vulnerable estuaries, capturing the effects of tides, storm surge, river runoff, and sea-level rise. By providing accurate, up-to-the-minute information, it supports immediate flood response and long-term planning for coastal resilience. Explore the data to track water levels, spot trends, and better understand flooding dynamics along California’s coast.

Our wave buoys provide real-time measurements of wave height, period, and direction, supporting coastal community safety and research. These data, along with temperature and current measurements from the buoy moorings, inform projects like kelp forest restoration and coastal resilience planning.

The Coastal Oceanography Group's monitoring efforts are supported by our partner, CeNCOOS, the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System, the northern California regional association within the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System.