Data & Sources
Where the numbers come from
WaterLove uses public data from U.S. government agencies and open map projects. No paid data, and no artificial intelligence: your phone works out every score from these numbers, and the same numbers always give the same score.
Weather and alerts
- National Weather Service (NOAA)
- Hourly forecasts for each place: wind and gusts, rain and thunderstorm chance, temperature and humidity (for the heat index), and wave height. Active watches, warnings and advisories for the place. Refreshed at most every 10 minutes.
Tides
- NOAA Tides & Currents (CO-OPS)
- Predicted high and low tides from 289 stations along the South Carolina coast and just over the Georgia and North Carolina lines. Refreshed at most every 30 minutes. These are predictions, not live water levels: wind and river flow can move the real tide.
On the water
- National Data Buoy Center (NOAA)
- Measured wave height and water temperature at nearby buoys, used when a buoy is close enough to say something about your place. Refreshed at most every 15 minutes.
Places and maps
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System
- The named beaches, creeks, sounds, inlets and landings you can search for.
- OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramps and marinas, and the map tiles. © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (odbl.openstreetmap.org).
Worked out on your phone
Sunrise and sunset, the heat index, the bug index estimate and every score are calculated on your phone. How each activity is scored is explained in the app, factor by factor, under Why this score.
What the data cannot tell you
- A forecast covers a square about a mile and a half across, not the exact spot where you launch.
- The nearest tide station is not always on your water. Tides travel along creeks and channels, and can run an hour or more apart across a marsh.
- Rip currents, local currents, boat traffic, closures and water quality are not in the data.
- Forecasts change. Check again before you go.
WaterLove provides planning guidance, not a safety certification. Always check the latest weather forecast and severe-weather and marine warnings before heading out.