AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced that the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network (TCOON) Station #8774513, located in Copano Bay, Texas, was successfully rebuilt after being damaged during Hurricane Harvey. This rebuild enhances TCOON’s ability to deliver real-time coastal monitoring and is a major investment by the Texas General Land Office (GLO) in protecting and understanding our coastal environment.
"I am proud of the work that has been done to get this crucial TCOON system back up and running in Copano Bay following the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey," said Commissioner Buckingham. "The importance of the TCOON system cannot be overstated as it provides coastal data for the Texas coast, allowing us to see real-time data on various environmental parameters, including during emergencies when quick responses can save lives. The GLO is committed to maintaining and strengthening TCOON—ensuring a safer, more resilient, and thriving Texas coast."
Founded in 1989 and officially recognized by the State of Texas in 1991, TCOON operates 28 monitoring stations along the Texas Gulf Coast. These stations are part of a collaborative effort involving the GLO, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Water Development Board, and the Conrad Blucher Institute at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Together, these partners ensure the data is accurate, reliable, and essential for long-term coastal planning and disaster response.
TCOON stations track critical environmental conditions—like water levels, currents, waves, salinity, temperature, wind speed and direction, and tidal benchmarks. This real-time data supports a wide range of users, including maritime industries, port authorities, researchers, emergency managers, and everyday Texans who enjoy our coastlines.
By using best practices and a data-driven approach, TCOON helps shape policies that protect Texas beaches, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems for future generations.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.