1. Contour Maps
Topographic Maps
Mrs. Degl

2. Contour Maps show the elevation of the land.
Mrs. Degl

3. Mrs. Degl

4. Things you find on a Contour or Topo Map:
Contour Lines that show elevation
Compass directions to show N, S, E, W
A scale for distances
Latitude and Longitude
A Key to show different features and locations
Colors:
Blue = Water White = Bedrock
Brown = Contour Lines Red = Roads
Green = Vegetation Black = Names
Title and Location of the area the map is from
Magnetic Declination:
Mrs. Degl

5. Things to know about Contour Maps:
Contour Interval means “what every line is worth”.
The rule of the Contour V’s
Streams and rivers flow opposite to the point of the V that is
formed when a contour line crosses them.
Close contour lines means that there is a steep slope.
Contour lines that are far apart mean that the land is flatter.
The Gradient Formula is used to calculate the slope.
Gradient means slope.
Bulls eyes represent hills or mountains.
Hachured lines on bulls eyes mean depressions or valleys.
Each line represents a different elevation in feet or meters.
Places on the same contour line are at the same elevation.
A Profile is a side view or real representation of the topography
of an area.
Mrs. Degl

6. Mrs. Degl

7. Ossining Quadrangle Questions
What is the elevation of Point A?
What is the elevation of Point B?
What direction does Stream X flow?
What is the gradient between A and B?
5. Below stream Y, what direction does the Taconic State Parkway run?
What side of Briarcliff High School has the highest gradient?
What Quadrant is the depression located in?
Mrs. Degl

8. Red River Map Scale Elevation is in feet Distance is in miles OCEAN
Mrs. Degl
OCEAN
Scale

9. Red River Map What is the elevation of Point A?
What is the elevation of Point B?
What is the elevation of Point C?
What is the gradient between X and Y?
What direction is Red River flowing?
What side of Hill D has the steepest/highest gradient?
Mrs. Degl