Topographic Maps Chad Sperry WIU GIS Center Spring

Topographic Maps Chad Sperry WIU GIS Center

Spring Lake, Macomb, IL

What if my contour lines are close together? n If the contour lines are close together, then that indicates that area has a steep slope.

What if my contour lines are far apart? n If the contour lines are far apart, then that indicates the land has a gentle slope (low slope).

Let’s take a walk up a hill!

We’re now at an elevation of 100 meters. 100 m

Let’s keep going! 100 m

Now we’re at 200 m 100 m

Shall we march on? 200 m 100 m

We’ve made it to 300 m! 300 m 200 m 100 m

On to the peak! 300 m 200 m 100 m

We’re on the peak, but what’s our elevation? 300 m 200 m 100 m

Any ideas? Let’s add contour lines for every 50 meters and see if that helps. 300 m 200 m 100 m

We know that we are above 350 m, but less than 400 m. 350 m 300 m 250 m 200 m 150 m 100 m 50 m

Contour lines Relationship between topographic features and contour lines

Title and Location MAP TITLE

Title and Location QUADRANGLE LOCATION

Map design Other Information

Map Scale Definition A means of showing the relationship between the size of an object or feature indicated on a map and the actual size of the object on the ground. Scale is expressed as a ratio, such as 1: 24, 000 (i. e. 1 unit on the map equal 24, 000 units on the ground) and shown graphically by Scale bars marked in feet and miles or meters and kilometers.

Scale Decreasing Detail Increasing Coverage 1: 24, 000 scale 1: 100, 000 scale 1: 125, 000 scale

More than Contours n n n Symbols represent features such as streets, buildings, streams, and vegetation Blue lines/shapes - represent water features, such as streams and lakes. Brown – contour lines Black – Roads, buildings, railroads, other man made objects. Green – Woodland areas Red - Highways

Legend