How Do You Make a Contour Map?
Contour maps are brilliant in their innate storage of information. Learn to read them and they quickly become a decipherable visual metaphor for the natural features of a landscape. It is this surprising ability that makes knowing how to plot your own contour lines such a useful skill. There is no better description of a landscape’s features than a full understanding of its topography. Pick an existing map to build contours on to—preferably a small plot of land you will have constant and easy access to. While the piece of land to be mapped can be of any shape or size, developing contours for a rectangular plot would likely be the most instructive. Beginning at the property’s corner, mark out a 9 by 9 foot square. Place stakes down in each corner and create a border of string. Measure the total change of elevation within the square. Begin at the highest spot. Place one corner of a bubble level at the highest point, then point the other end of the level toward the lowest point in your
