How Do You Determine Elevation From A Topographic Map?
An important feature of topographic maps is the use of contour lines to note elevation. A contour line connects points of similar elevation. On topographic maps they are indicated by brown lines and come in three types. Index contour lines are labeled with their elevation value and are dark brown. Intermediate contour lines are lighter brown and are placed at equal elevation intervals between index contour lines. Supplementary contour lines appear at half the elevation interval of an intermediate contour line and are used in areas where there is gradual change in elevation. Find the location of the elevation to be determined on the map. Locate the nearest index contour line to your location. The value on the line is the elevation of that contour line. Determine the direction of the slope (aspect) from the index contour line to your location by drawing an arrow from the index contour line to the next higher elevation contour line. If the arrow is pointing toward the contour lines around
