Reading Topographic Maps Lab Lab Day_______

Name_____________________ Class Name________________

Topographic Map Reading Lab Background Topographic maps are useful for recreation (hiking, camping), land use planning, and as a base map for geological data. Elevations are shown by contour lines that follow a set contour interval. Relief is the difference between the high and low points in an area. Scale is the relationship between map distance and ground distance (1:62,500) scale means 1 map inch equals 62,500 inches on the ground). Use the bar graphic scale printed on the map to find distance when needed. Materials Harrisburg, PA Topo Map Topographic Map Symbols sheet Scrap paper Ruler or straight edge Procedure Use your knowledge of contour maps and isolines to answer the questions about Topographic Maps. Part A. Dimensions 1) The map scale is 1:62,500, which means one inch on the map equals 62,500 actual inches. How many feet will that be? ________________________ ft 2) Measure the North-South distance in miles. ___________________mi 3) Measure the East-West distance in miles. ____________________mi 4) Multiply your answers for #3 & 4 to find the area covered in square miles. Show your work below.

5) Record the latitude from the lower right corner of the map (remember direction in your answers!) _________________________________________ 6) Record the latitude from the upper right corner of the map (remember direction in your answers!) _________________________________________

7) Record the longitude from the upper right corner of the map (remember direction in your answers!) ___________________________________________ 8) Record the longitude from the upper left corner of the map (remember direction in your answers!) ___________________________________________

Part B. Contour Lines 1) What color are the contour lines? ______________________ 2) State the contour interval on the map in feet. ____________ 3) Index contour lines are in bold and are labeled. The index contour lines are labeled every ______________ feet. 4) The highest contour line drawn on the map is ________________ feet. (make sure you check all mountains!) 5) What is the highest possible elevation on this map? _____________ feet

Part C. Map Analysis 1)

Define Relief:

2)

Locate McCormick Island. Determine the length of the island in feet. _________________

3) Find the town of Linglestown. Head slightly northeast toward Blue Mountain. Give the benchmark (BM) elevation along the road leaving town. ____________________ ft 4) Go to the Colonial Park section of Harrisburg. Give the approximate elevation Phillips School. _____________ 5) Find the Quarry at the very center bottom of the map. Look very carefully, how many depression contours do you see? ______________ 6) What does it mean when the contour lines are close together? 7) Describe the contour line spacing on Haldeman Island. What do they indicate about the topography? 8) Locate the Rockville Bridge. About a mile NE of the bridge there is a telephone line. Sketch a sideways (horizontal) view what it would look like to hike along the telephone line from the area near the bridge to Bowerman Church.

Part D: Water Movement 1) Locate Stony Creek. State general compass direction Stony Creek flows. How can you tell?

2)

In which direction is the Condoguinet Creek flowing? How can you tell?

3)

How many feet would the Susquehanna River need to rise in order to cover all the islands?

4)

What is the approximate width of the Susquehanna at Taylor Bridge?

Part E: Gradient Determine the straight-line gradient from the Harrisburg Sportsman Club to the TV tower on the top of Blue Mountain. Show all work (all three steps!)

Susquehanna River Basin Questions

On the lab cover sheet, answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1) Explain the link between this news article and the current lab of study (i.e. why was this article chosen to accompany your lab?) 2) How much money in damages does the nation experience on average during a ten year time period due to the flooding of the Susquehanna River? 3) What two types of data does the National Weather service need to analyze in order to determine if a flood warning should be issued? 4) How many hours of advance notice would the Susquehanna Flood Forecast and Warning System like to give before an imminent flood?