Upcoming King Tide Photo Events Being Used to Demonstrate Sea Level Rise, Global Warming

High tide is expected to rise above six feet in Imperial Beach in the morning Feb 16-18. Tides aren't predicted to rise that high again until September.

In its first year, the King Tide Photo Initiative will take place Feb. 16-18 to demonstrate the possible effects of climate change in San Diego.

San Diego Foundation studies estimate sea levels will rise 12 to 18 inches by 2050 and suggests portions of south Seacoast Drive and the Tijuana Sloughs could be inundated with water.

"It's just to give a glimpse of what San Diego might look like," said Kristen Goodrich, Coastal Training Program Coordinator at the Tijuana National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Reserve is participating as part of the effort to increase awareness and continue study of potential impacts of global warming or climate change.

"There are still actions we can take to reduce those impacts like restoring wetlands," she said, that can act as buffers to storm surges, rising sea levels, higher tides and increased wave activity.

Other king tide days events are being held in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oregon, Washington state and British Columbia.

The general public is invited to contribute photos during the tide as well. Photos will be plotted on a map to show what can happen when sea level rises. 

To participate, go to an area known to flood or erode during high tide or take pictures of jetties, bridge supports, sea walls or other areas where it's easier to notice and gauge higher sea levels.

Record the time, location and orientation of your photo and submit it to the King Tide Flickr page. Use GPS if possible.

Photographers are being asked to take pictures in places like the San Diego Bay, Oceanside Beach, San Elijo Lagoon, Del Mar Dog Beach/San Dieguito Lagoon entrance, Torrey Pines near the beach strand, La Jolla Shores and Mission Beach.

High tide times may vary due to location. Check the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tide chart for high tide expected Feb. 16-18 mornings between 7-9 a.m in Imperial Beach.

More than 40 experts from local universities, governments, public sector agencies, nonprofits and private sector organizations contributed to San Diego Foundation's climate change research. The report predicts that the average temperature will rise 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 in San Diego and indicates great potential impact to rainfall, the amount of wildfires, ecosystems and public health.