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MAPPING AND CHARTING
FEDERAL MAPPING AND CHARTING ACTIVITIES
Responsibility for mapping and charting the land areas of the
United States, its airspace, and its waters and adjacent seas is divided
among the executive departments, bureaus, and offices o f the Federal
Government listed below.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.—The Forest Service per
forms topographic mapping for engineering, resource, and conservation
management o f national forests. Activities include large-scale mapping
for road reconnaissance and design, damsites, watersheds, and
recreational-area development
The Soil Conservation Service prepares maps showing the results
o f soil surveys to facilitate land-use planning.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.—The Bureau of the Census
publishes a special Census Metropolitan Map Series showing local
boundaries, tracts, blocks, wards, and congressional districts.
The Coast and Geodetic Survey maintains the national geodetic
control network and produces nautical charts o f coastal waters and
certain interior waters of the United States, in support o f sea naviga
tion; aeronautical charts of the United States for civil and military use
and for international air routes used by civil aviation, and State postal
maps for the U.S. Post Office Department.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.—The Aeronautical Chart and
Information Center produces aeronautical charts for all areas outside
DATA AVAILABLE
AGENCY
Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service
Coast and Geodetic Survey
Geological Survey
Soil Conservation Service
Tennessee Valley Authority
National Archives and Records Service
and Geodetic Survey
Coast and Geodetic Survey
the United States to meet military aviation requirements.
The Army Topographic Command prepares topographic maps
chiefly o f foreign areas to meet Department of Defense requirements.
The Lake Survey publishes nautical charts o f the Great Lakes.
The Mississippi River Commission prepares.topographic maps and
hydrographic charts for the lower Mississippi River and its navigable
tributaries.
The Naval Oceanographic Office publishes and maintains charts of
oceans and the navigable water of the world showing hydrographic,
topographic, and navigational data and prepares aeronautical charts
required for naval aviation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—The Geological Survey
prepares, maintains, and distributes general-purpose maps o f the National
Topographic Map Series o f the United States and areas under its sov
ereignty. This mapping program has continued for 90 years and has
gained recognition for the Geological Survey as the Nation’s principal
civilian mapping agency. The Survey maintains the Map Information
Office for the collection and dissemination o f information about maps,
aerial photographs, and geodetic-control surveys that are available from
Federal mapping agencies and other sources.
The Bureau of Land Management performs cadastral surveys of
the public domain that include national parks and forests, Indian
The principal types of maps, charts, and related data which are
available from Federal agencies and the addresses of these agencies are
listed below. Single-sheet thematic maps o f the United States are not
listed.
DATA AVAILABLE
Coastal areas of the United States
National forest (small scale)
AGENCY DIRECTORY
Geological Survey
Coast and Geodetic Survey
Forest Service
Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
International Boundary Commission,
United States and Canada
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548
Bureau of Land Management
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. 20240
International Boundaty and Water
Commission, United States and Mexico
United States Section
818 Southwest Center
El Paso, Tex. 79901
Relief maps, shaded
River navigation charts:
Mississippi (lower)
Mississippi (upper)
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Vicksburg
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Chicago
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Omaha
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Cincinnati
Tennessee Valley Authority
Geological Survey
survey* alon*
boundaries
Coast and Geodetic Survey
United States and Canada
Coast and Geodetic Survey
Geological Survey
reservations, grazing districts, and national reservations.
The Bureau of Mines prepares maps in support of activities related
to conservation, development, and utilization o f minerals and fuels.
The Bureau of Reclamation prepares maps needed for comprehen
sive planning and development of water resources.
The National Park Service prepares maps showing natural and
historic resources.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.-The Office of the Geographer pre
pares maps showing national sovereignties and related geographic and
current political data.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.-The Bureau of Pub
lic Roads publishes the Transportation Map Series of the United States
and maps showing the Federal Aid system o f highways.
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY performs the topographic,
cadastral, and hydrographic mapping required for economic develop
ment, river navigation, and flood control within the Tennessee Valley
region.
Soil survey
Superintendent of Documents
Space photography
Coast and Geodetic Survey
Environmental Science Services
Administration
Department of Commerce
Washington Science Center
Rockville, Md. 20852
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, 111. 60605
Geological Survey
U.S. Army Topographic Command
Geological Survey
Tennessee Valley Authority
library of Congress
National Archives and Records Service
Valley region maps (various
Geological Survey
Geological Survey
Geological Survey
Coast and Geodetic Survey
National Archives and Records Service
General Services Administration
Washington, D.C. 20407
Geological Survey
Bureau of Land Management
Geological Survey
Topographic maps:
National Topographic Map Series
of the United States
Lower Mississippi River Valley
National forests (small scale)
Tennessee River Basin
Naval Oceanographic Office
Tennessee Valley Authority
Geological Survey
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Vicksburg
Forest Service
Geological Survey
Tennessee Valley Authority
Bureau of Land Management
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army
(Lake Survey)
India: ..
and Ohio
of plats for
a, Kansas, fi
National Archives and Records Service
Washington,
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army
Lake Survey
P.O. Box 1027
Detroit, Mich. 48226
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army
215 North 17th Street
Omaha, Nebr. 68102
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army
P.O. Box 80
Vicksburg, Miss. 39180
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250
Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. 20242
Naval Oceanographic Office
Departmentt of
< the Navy
Washington, D.C. 20390
Soil Conservation Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20251
Superintendent of Documents
Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20401
Tennessee Valley Authority
New Sprankle Building
Knoxville, Tenn. 37902
U.S. Army Topographic Command
Washington, D.C. 20315
NAUTICAL CHARTING
Maritime commerce and the naval operations of
the United States require nautical charts of practi
cally all the navigable waters of the earth; produc
tion and up-to-date maintenance of nautical charts
consequently has been an important function o f the
Federal Government since early in the 19th century.
Nautical charts are produced by the U.S. Naval
Oceanographic Office; the Coast and Geodetic Sur
vey, U.S. Department of Commerce; and the Lake
Survey, U.S. Department o f the Army. The Oceano
graphic Office produces nautical charts o f foreign
areas, publishes the Notice to Mariners, and serves
the special charting needs of the Navy. The Coast
and Geodetic Survey publishes nautical charts of
coastal waters and certain interior waters of the
United States. The Lake Survey publishes nautical
charts o f the Great Lakes. The Mississippi River
Commission of the Department o f the Army pub
lishes navigation folios o f the lower Mississippi
River.
A nautical chart is a special map designed and
produced for the mariner. This navigational aid is
required for all types of shipping, whether on the
surface or underwater.
The nautical chart must be based on a map pro
jection o f the lines of latitude and longitude in a
manner most suitable for navigation, usually the
Mercator projection. All the physical features shown
on the chart must be in correct position (latitude and
longitude) so that the area covered by the chart is
correctly related to all other places on the earth and
so that each feature on the chart is exactly related
in distance and direction to all other features on the
chart.
The most important information shown on the
nautical charts relates to the submerged features that
are not visible from the surface but are vital to the
mariner. Among these features are the shape o f the
bottom o f the sea, usually expressed by depth curves
or contours; the depths o f water in channels and
over submerged features dangerous to navigation
such as submerged rocks, shoals, and sunken wrecks;
and channel lines showing the positions of dredged
or natural channels through shallow waters. The
chart must also show all aids to navigation including
lights, day beacons, buoys, electronic aids and lines
of position, landmarks, prominent land forms, and
details of the adjacent shore.
A nautical chart must be kept up to date if it is
to be a safe instrument for navigation. Consequently,
charts must be frequently revised and reissued, and
a Notice to Mariners is published to provide the
mariner with immediate information about signifi
cant changes pending new editions of the charts.
The Notice to Mariners, prepared jointly by the
Naval Oceanographic Office, U.S. Coast Guard, and
Coast and Geodetic Survey and published weekly by
the Naval Oceanographic Office, provides world
wide coverage. An example of the importance of
chart maintenance is the fact that 60 percent of the
800 charts published by the Coast and Geodetic
Survey must be revised and reissued every year and
about 75 percent o f its nautical charting effort is
devoted to chart maintenance.
A very large volume o f surveying, particularly
hydrographic surveying, must be accomplished to
provide the information needed to construct nauti
cal charts and maintain them up to date. The Coast
and Geodetic Survey, for example, devotes approxi
mately 70 percent o f its total charting effort to the
field operations required to gather the data for con
struction and maintenance o f nautical charts. Field
surveying for nautical charting includes—in addition
to hydrography—geodetic surveys, tide observations,
tidal current surveys, geomagnetic measurements,
positioning o f aids to navigation, and mapping of
the coastline and offshore features.
Charts for marine navigation are designed at
varying scales. Complete chart coverage of a coast,
for example, usually consists of several different
series o f charts, each series made for a particular
purpose and for specific coverage and at a certain
scale. The smallest scale charts are used in approach
ing a coast from the open sea while making a land
fall. Larger scale series are for navigation in more
constricted areas, where accurate positioning is more
critical. The largest scale charts comprise the har
bor charts, where it is necessary to show the greatest
amount of detail.
Nautical charts produced by the Coast and Geo
detic Survey are divided into three major categories,
designed to meet the needs of maritime and recrea
tional navigation: conventional charts, small-craft
charts, and special purpose charts. Conventional
charts are for use aboard ships that have room for
display and plotting. They range from the large-scale
harbor chart for precise navigation in harbors and
narrow waterways to the small-scale sailing charts
for offshore navigation between distant ports.
Small-craft charts provide the millions of rec
reational boaters with a compact format for use in
the cockpits of small craft. The format is designed
to promote boating safety through more efficient
chart usage. The small-craft charts, in sharp contrast
with the conventional charts, are accordion folded.
They direct skippers to docking facilities and supplies
and services; include information on tides, currents,
symbols, and abbreviations; and have safety notes
printed on either the chart or its protective cover.
Nautical charts must be supplemented by other
publications to provide information that cannot be
shown on the chart. These publications include the
weekly Notice to Mariners; Tide Tables published
annually and giving the predicted time and heights
of high and low tides for each day for 1 year fol
lowing publication; tidal current tables and charts
showing the direction and strength of currents along
principal routes; and Sailing Directions or Coast
Pilot books providing detailed information for navi
gation in harbors, inland waters, along the intra
coastal waterways, and for close-in navigation along
the coast.
Information concerning publications of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey may be obtained by
writing the Director, Coast and Geodetic Survey,
Environmental Science Services Administration,
Rockville, Md. 20852. Charts and related publica
tions may be purchased from the same address or
from authorized sales agents. Locations of author
ized nautical chart sales agents are listed in the
Nautical Chart Catalog.
In contrast with the Coast and Geodetic Survey,
which produces charts primarily of domestic navi
gable waters, the Naval Oceanographic Office pub
lishes and maintains over 6,000 different charts of the
oceans and foreign waters of the world. These charts
range from large-scale harbor charts showing individ
ual piers and anchorages to small-scale general charts
showing detailed bottom topography of the oceans.
Although a small number of these charts are pro
duced exclusively for U.S. Navy use, the great major
ity are available to mariners and the general public
through over 150 sales agencies in the United States
and throughout the world.
Charts of the Oceanographic Office reflect
hydrographic, topographic, and navigational infor
mation obtained from foreign mapping and charting
organizations as well as from a vast worldwide data
collection effort by specialized units under Navy
control. Navy aircraft, ships, submarines, and
unmanned sensors, equipped with sophisticated data
recording and measuring equipment for geophysi
cal data, provide much of the information needed
for both today’s marine charting needs and tomor
row’s total understanding of the ocean environment.
The basic nautical charts of the Oceanographic
Office are supplemented by a variety of specialpurpose charts and navigational publications, tables,
and manuals which are also available to the general
public. Among the more interesting and useful charts
are the Time-Zone Chart of the World, world mag
netic charts, Pilot Charts, charts on the gnomonic
projection on which a straight line depicts the short
est (great circle) distance between the connected
points, and charts on the azimuthal equidistant pro
jection, centered on particular cities, from which the
distance and azimuth to any other point on the
earth’s surface can be visually obtained. A general
introductory catalog of the charts and other publica
tions of the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office, Wash
ington, D.C. 20390, is available free of charge upon
request.
295
NATIONAL ATLAS
NAUTICAL CHARTING
NAUTICAL CHARTS
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NAUTICAL CHARTS
NATIONAL ATLAS
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NAUTICAL CHARTING
N autical charts o f the G reat Lakes and adjacent waters are published by the Lake
Survey District, U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers. The charts o f the G reat Lakes, Lake
C hamplain, the New York State barge canal system, Rainy Lake, and Lake o f the
Woods are on the polyconic projection. G eneral charts o f each o f the G reat Lakes
are prepared on the Mercator projection. These charts depict the hydrography of
w ater areas and the topography o f limited areas o f the adjacent shores and islands.
Structures and landmarks visible from the waterways are identified on the charts.
Various scales are employed to portray features in sufficient detail: the small scales
o f the general lake charts are suitable for open-lake navigation; the medium scales
o f the coast, river, and sectional charts afford greater detail for navigation closer to
shore; and the large scales o f the harbor and confined-locality charts permit showing
details pertinent to such restricted navigation. The charts o f the Minnesota-Ontario
border lakes from North Lake to Kabetogama Lake are on the Lambert conformal
conic projection and are designed to suit the needs of small shallow-draft boats.
They do not show hydrography.
In addition to the conventional charts, nautical charts designed specifically for
recreational craft are available. Most o f these charts are spirally bound in books
measuring 11 by 17V4 inches, but several are available in a folded format. They contain
the same navigational data as the conventional charts but are generally at larger
scales and specialize in showing detailed information for the recreational boatman,
such as names and locations o f yacht clubs, marinas, and very detailed shoreline
features.
River-survey charts o f the major inland waterways are published within the
various divisions o f the Corps o f Engineers. Most o f the charts are published only
in folio form, consisting o f a folio for each river o f major sections thereof. The content
o f the folios varies depending on the district and the date o f issue. The majority show
a plan o f the river itself and simplified planimetric portrayal o f features flanking the
river. Others consist o f annotated aerial photomosaics. Some show topographic detail
flanking the river. Navigation charts o f the upper Mississippi River, the Minnesota River,
and the S t Croix River are issued separately rather than being bound in folio form.
The Tennessee River Waterway is shown on river-survey charts in folio form
published by the Corps of Engineers and on multicolor charts published by the
Tennessee Valley Authority. The TV A charts are at scales of 1 inch = V4 mile (1:31,680)
and 1 inch = l mile (1:63,360). The 11 by 17-inch charts and other data concerning
the waterway are also available in folio form. The navigation charts o f the Tennessee
River Waterway have been prepared by TVA to aid pilots and small-boat operators
in navigating the continuous chain o f lakes. They show the main river and secondary
channel sailing lines, navigation aids, safety harbors, freight terminals, recreational boat
docks, and the general shape and elevation o f the reservoir bottom. The charts also
show other m ap features such as drainage, roads, buildings, and park and public
access areas. Navigation maps o f reservoirs tributary to the Tennessee River are also
published by TVA at a scale o f 1 inch = Vi mile.
Cumberland
River
Tennessee
NAUTICAL CHARTS
OF THE GREAT LAKES
Coast and sectional charts
Recreational craft charts
Harbor and locality charts
OTHER
INLAND W ATERW AY CHARTS
Principal Islands of
HAWAII
SCALE 1:17.000.000
INLAND NAUTICAL CHARTS
STATUS AS OF 1968
Compiled by U.S. Geological Survey, 1969
River navigation charts by
Tennessee Valley Authority
and by Corps of Engineers
SCALE 1:17,000,000
Charts of Tennessee River
tributary reservoirs
ALASKA
SCALE 1:38,500,000
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NATIONAL ATLAS
NAUTICAL CHARTING
CHARTING OF THE OCEANS
A N D FOREIGN W ATERS
GENERAL CHARTS
N autical charts are constructed on m any different
scales, ranging from ab o u t l:2 ,500to 1:14,000,000.
M ost o f the charts pub lish ed by the U.S. N aval
O ceanographic Office are o f large and m edium
scales (1:2,500 to 1:600,000) for harb o r and coast
wise navigation a n d differ little in basic presen
tatio n a n d d a ta co n ten t from sim ilar-scale charts
prod u ced fo r U .S. w aters by the U.S. C oast and
G eo d etic Survey.
Sm all-scale (1:600,000 to 1:14,000,000) charts
a re p ublished by th e O ceanographic Office for
th e oceans an d foreign w aters o f the w orld. The
chart section show n here is from H .O . 1290, a
sm all-scale (1:3,322,500) general chart covering
the entire G u lf o f Mexico, C aribbean Sea, and
adjacent areas, w hich is used for general plan
n ing o f lo n g voyages a n d fixing position on the
high seas. As show n o n this chart, the shoreline
and o th er lan d features are generalized, an d only
p rincipal nam es a n d d e p th contours, offshore
soundings (in fathom s), principal navigational
aids, a n d m agnetic in fo rm ation are shown.
B A TH Y M E T R IC C H A R T S
T h e trem endous grow th o f interest in the oceans
an d the m arin e sciences in recent years has gen
erated a n eed fo r new a n d im proved charts
show ing th e b o tto m to pography o f the oceans
an d seas. T h e section show n here is taken from
O ceanographic Office chart, The world, H .O .
15,254-7, w hich is o n e o f 12 sheets providing
continuous w orld coverage o f the area betw een
laL 70° S. a n d 84° N . a t a scale o f 1:12,233,000.
D epths o n this c h art a re show n by m eans o f
g radient tints, selected spot soundings, a n d iso
baths at 100 fathom s and at 500-fathom inter
vals from 500 to 4,500 fathom s. O ther detail,
which is generalized to scale, includes shoreline,
m ajor rivers, nam es o f countries and principal
cities, international boundaries, principal land
relief and elevations, selected ship tracks and
distances, average limits o f sea and pack ice, and
p rincipal bathym etric nom enclature.
PILOT CHARTS
A m ong the m ost useful and p o pular specialpurpose charts issued by the O ceanographic Office
are the Pilot Charts, which are published each
m onth for the N o rth A tlantic O cean and the
N orth Pacific Ocean, an d in atlas form for (1)
the South A tlantic O cean an d C entral Am erican
w aters, and (2) the South Pacific a n d Indian
Oceans. T he section shown here is from the May
1968 edition o f Pilot chart o f the North A tlantic
Ocean, H .O . 1400.
Pilot C harts present in graphical form the
available facts o r conclusions resulting from
m any years o f research in navigation, oceanog
raphy, and m eteorology to assist m ariners in
selecting the safest and q uickest routes and avoid
ing dangers. T heir principal features are m onthly
averages for: prevailing w inds and currents; per
centage o f gales, calms, and fog; line o f equal
air and w ater tem perature and atm ospheric pres
sure; and limits o f both field ice and icebergs.
Also presented are lines o f equal m agnetic varia
tion, location o f ocean station vessels, and rec
om m ended routes o r steam er tracks. Tim ely
articles dealing w ith navigation and related top
ics are printed on the backs o f the m onthly
Pilot C harts.
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AERONAUTICAL CHARTING
AERONAUTICAL CHARTING
Aeronautical charts are especially designed maps
which graphically portray for the navigator the top
ographic and cultural features of the earth’s surface
and the electronic control systems needed for air
navigation under visual flight rules (VFR) and instru
ment flight rules (IFR).
Aeronautical charting had its beginning in the
United States in 1924 when the Army Air Corps
issued the first sheets of a series of strip maps for
military use covering limited areas between Air
Corps fields. In 1926, the U.S. Congress passed the
Air Commerce Act, which gave formal recognition
to the need for aeronautical charts and authorized
the Secretary of Commerce to direct the U.S. Coast
and Geodetic Survey to provide charts for air navi
gation as adequate as those then provided for ocean
navigation. The first aeronautical charts published
under the authority of the act were issued in 1927
and were similar to those first published by the Army
Air Corps. Today, several U.S. Government agencies
publish aeronautical charts covering the globe at
many scales and in many forms to satisfy the needs
of U.S. civil and military aviation.
Aeronautical charts must be based on a map
projection which meets the navigator’s need for maxi
mum accuracy of direction and distance. The basic
projection used for aeronautical charting is the Lam
bert Conformal Conic Projection. Other projections
used are the Mercator (conformal, transverse, and
oblique) and the Polar Stereographic.
Aeronautical charts fall into two broad classifi
cations—visual navigation charts and instrument
navigation charts.
Visual navigation charts are designed for navi
gation under VFR conditions where flight is con
ducted by visual reference to the ground, even though
the pilot may be radio assisted. The visual-chart base
consists of selected topographic and cultural features
o f the area. Contours express elevation, form, and
degree of slope and are supplemented by spot eleva
tions showing critical heights and a system of terrain
or gradient tints which indicate layers of elevations
by colors. Drainage features such as rivers, streams,
canals, and other bodies of water are especially
selected to suit the scale and purpose of the chart.
Cultural features such as cities, roads, railroads, res
ervoirs, dams, and other manmade objects are shown
in relation to their importance as landmarks for
aviation use. Modem aeronautical charts include
an overprint of relief shading to assist the pilot in
terrain identification and to emphasize hazardous
terrain.
The topographic base of aeronautical charts
often violates the principles of conventional maps.
Many items normally included on topographic maps
are omitted in order not to obscure those details
that are of greater importance to the pilot, while
some features are exaggerated or displaced in order
to enhance their value as a landmark.
Visual charts also include an aeronautical over
print which varies in detail and content with the
scale and purpose o f the chart. The data normally
used in visual flight include communications and
navigational facilities, vertical and horizontal limits
of controlled airspace, obstructions that are hazard
ous to flight, and special-use and restricted airspace.
Visual charts are published in several series
ranging in scale from 1:250,000 to 1:2,000,000 to
meet the needs of all VFR operations from the slowto medium-speed aircraft to the high-speed longrange aircraft. The several series are the Local Chart
at scale 1:250,000; the Sectional Chart, 1:500,000;
the world aeronautical chart, 1:1,000,000; and the
Jet Navigation Chart, 1:2,000,000. A planning chart
at the scale of 1:2,333,232 (1 inch = 32 nautical miles)
is published covering the conterminous United States
in two sheets to meet the requirements for preflight
planning for both VFR and IFR operations.
Visual charts are revised frequently to reflect
manmade changes in the landscape and the revi
sions to the National Airspace System (NAS). Sec
tional and local aeronautical charts of the contermi
nous United States are revised and reissued every 6
months. Other visual charts are revised semiannually
or annually, depending on the complexity and rate
of change to the NAS.
Instrument navigation charts portray in graphic
form the entire control system embodied in the
NAS. They are the means by which the pilot con
ducts enroute navigation and terminal procedures
for landing at aerodromes under IFR.
Instrument charts are published in two basic
series—radio navigation charts for enroute navigation
and instrument approach procedure charts for ter
minal operations.
Enroute low-altitude radio navigation charts
show the complete low-altitude airspace system and
all other data required to operate safely and effi
ciently in accordance with Federal Aviation Admin
istration rules and regulations. Area charts provide
large-scale coverage of high-density areas in the lowaltitude structure. Enroute high-altitude charts are
published for flight at or above 18,000 feet and show
the jet routes and other data required for operation
in the high-altitude structure. Because of the con
stantly changing nature of the NAS and the fact that
the controlled airspace is amended every 28 days,
radio navigation charts are sold on subscription and
revised and reissued every 28 days, effective con
currently with the airspace amendment. Subscrip
tions are available by areas, such as the conterminous
United States, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, or on
an individual chart basis.
Instrument approach procedure charts (IAPC)
are published for over 1,000 aerodromes in the
United States whose instrument procedures have
been authorized by the Federal Aviation Adminis
tration. The charts are 5x8 inches and are punched
to fit a looseleaf binder. The charts show the instrument-approach procedure, the aerodrome diagram,
and all related data. Each procedure is identified for
use with a specific type of electronic navigational
aid, such as low/medium frequency ranges (RNG),
radio beacons or compass locators (ADF), omni
directional ranges (VOR), and instrument landing
system (ILS). The charts are sold on subscription
and are revised as required on a weekly basis.
Standard instrument departure charts (SID)
provide air traffic control coded departure routing.
clearances in graphic and textual form, and are
designed to facilitate transition between takeoff and
enroute operations. The SID charts are published in
bound booklet form and are revised and reissued
every 56 days.
Another series classified in the instrument chart
category is the Aircraft Position Chart Series. This
series is especially designed to meet the needs of
U.S. flag carriers conducting international flights over
extensive water areas. The charts are for plotting
lines of position from electronic aids such as Loran
and Consol and from celestial observations. The
charts are revised semiannually.
The aeronautical charting activities o f the United
States are coordinated by the Inter-Agency Air Car
tographic Committee, composed of representatives
from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Fed
eral Aviation Administration, and the U.S. Depart
ment of Defense.
This committee reviews the air cartographic
requirements of the United States and, where pos
sible, develops specifications for a common product
to meet the operational requirements of both civil
and military aviation.
The Coast and Geodetic Survey, Environmental
Science Services Administration, produces the aero
nautical charts of the United States for both civil
and military use and for international air routes
required by U.S. civil aviation if unavailable from
military charting agencies.
The Aeronautical Chart and Information Cen
ter, U.S. Air Force, produces aeronautical charts
for all areas outside the United States to meet the
needs of military aviation. Air Force charts of for
eign areas required by U.S. civil aviation are sold
through the sales offices of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey. In addition, the Aeronautical Chart and
Information Center produces specialized air carto
graphic materials of the United States for military
use only.
The U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office also
produces aeronautical charts for use by naval
aviators.
JET NAVIGATION CHARTS
Jet navigation charts (JNC) are designed
for use in long-range high-altitude high
speed navigation. The four charts pub
lished by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic
Survey are part o f a worldwide series.
They are on the Lambert Conformal
Conic Projection at the scale of 1:2,000,000. Topographic features include large
cities, roads, railroads, drainage, and
relief. Relief is indicated by contour
lines, spot elevations, and gradient tints.
All aeronautical information necessary
to conform to the purpose of the chart
is shown.
iiu * * m
IM G V ^ l i t r
JET N A V IG A T IO N C H A R T
Scale 1:2,000,000
303
NATIONAL ATLAS
AERO N AU TICAL CHARTING
AERON AUTICAL CHARTING
ENROUTE CHARTS
Enroute charts are published and distributed by
the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. They are
constructed on the Lambert Conformal Conic
Projection.
ENROUTE HIGH ALTITUDE CHARTS pro
vide aeronautical information for enroute instru
ment navigation in the high-altitude stratum.
They are at a scale of 1 inch equals 38.5 nautical
miles. Information includes the portrayal of jet
routes; position, identification, and frequencies
of radio navigation aids; communications data;
selected aerodromes; distances; time zones; special-use airspace; radar jet advisory areas; and
related data.
ENROUTE LOW ALTITUDE CHARTS pro
vide aeronautical information for enroute instru
ment navigation in the low-altitude stratum,
except the Caribbean chart which is for all alti
tudes. They are at scales compatible to the
amount of detail included: 1 inch equals 10, 12,
16, or 20 nautical miles. Area charts, which are
part of this series, furnish terminal data at larger
scales in congested areas (1 inch equals 5 miles
and 1 inch equals 6 miles). Information includes
the portrayal of the complete National Airspace
System; limits of controlled airspace; position,
identification, and frequencies of radio naviga
tion aids; communications data; selected aero
dromes; minimum enroute and obstructionclearance altitudes; airway mileages; reporting
points; restricted areas; and related data.
THE HAWAII ENROUTE CHART is designed
to provide aeronautical data for enroute instru
ment navigation at all altitudes. It is at the scale
of 1 inch equals 15 nautical miles. Charted infor
mation includes the portrayal of airways; position,
identification, and frequencies of radio navigation
aids; communications data; selected aerodromes;
restricted areas; airway mileages, reporting
points; minimum enroute and obstruction-clearance altitudes; and related data.
ALASKA ENROUTE CHARTS: Both highand low-altitude enroute charts are published
for Alaska. These charts are at the scale of
1 inch equals 45 and 30 nautical miles respec
tively. They contain the same information as
those published for the conterminous United
304
OPERATIONAL
NAVIGATION CHARTS
Operational navigation charts (ONC) are specially
designed to satisfy military requirements. They
contain basically the same information as the
World Aeronautical Chart (WAC) Series, except
that relief is portrayed by shadient relief (com
bination of shaded relief and gradient tint), as
well as contour lines. The ONC series is replac
ing the WAC series outside the United States
and also in Hawaii. In those areas, WAC’s will
be available only where the ONC’s have not been
AERONAUTICAL CHARTING
NATIONAL ATLAS
SECTIONAL A N D LOCAL CHARTS
Sectional charts an d local charts, published by
the U .S. C oast a n d G eodetic Survey on the Lam
bert C onform al C onic Projection, are designed
for visual navigation o f slow- to m edium -speed
a irc ra ft. S e c tio n a l c h a rts a re a t a scale o f
1:500,000 (1 inch equals 6.85 nautical miles) and
local charts are a t a scale o f 1:250,000 (1 inch
equals 3.43 n autical m iles), except the H onolulu
ch art w hich is at th e scale o f 1:125,000 (1 inch
equals 1.7 n autical miles). Topographic infor
m ation com prises the p ortrayal o f relief and a
judicious selection o f visual checkpoints, includ
ing pop u lated places, drainage, roads, railroads,
a n d oth er distinctive landm arks. A eronautical
inform ation includes visual and radio aids to
navigation, aerodrom es, controlled airspace,
restricted areas, obstructions, and related data.
T h e first charts o f a new series o f 1:500,000scale sectional aeronautical charts o f the 48 con
term inous U n ited States have been published.
T he new series w ill cover the 48 States in 37
sheets, printed back-to-back for greater coverage
p e r sheet, and will replace the 87 sheets o f the
present sectional series. C harts o f the present
series will be gradually discontinued as com plete
coverage o f each is provided by the new charts.
T h e p o rtray a l o f te rra in on the new charts
em phasizes landform s by relief shading and also
includes contours, elevation tints, and spot eleva
tions. A eronautical inform ation included is sim
ilar to th a t on the present sectional charts. The
charts are folded to 5 X 10-inch size for conven
ient use a n d storage in the cockpit.
A sim ilar new series o f 16 sectional charts
now provides 1:500,000-scale coverage o f Alaska
for the first tim e. These charts are constructed
to the sam e specifications as those for the 48
States.
L o c a l c h a rts w ill b e d is c o n tin u e d in d i
vidually u p o n the publication o f the new series
o f sectional charts which have insets o f the local
areas.
Compiled from information provided by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1969
306
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING
TO PO G R A PH IC M A PPIN G
Topographic maps are graphic representations of selected
manmade and natural features o f the earth’s surface plotted to
definite scales. The distinguishing aspect o f topographic maps is
the portrayal of the shape and elevation of the terrain. Such
maps record in convenient, readable form physical characteristics
o f the terrain as determined by precise engineering surveys and
measurements.
Topographic maps have many uses as basic tools for plan
ning and executing projects that are necessary for modem living.
They are an essential part o f geologic and hydrologic research,
o f mineral investigations, and o f studies on the quantity and
quality o f water. They greatly facilitate the study and application
o f flood control, soil conservation, and reforestation. Topographic
maps are o f prime importance in planning highways, airports,
dams, pipelines, transmission lines, industrial plants, and count
less other types o f construction. Intelligent and efficient develop
ment o f natural resources depends on the availability of adequate
topographic mapping.
The rapidly growing list o f map users includes many people
who have discovered the advantages of topographic maps in the
pursuit o f outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and vaca
tioning. Reliable maps showing relief features, woods, clearings,
and watercourses are of inestimable value to the serious hiker.
There is, in fact, very little of the outdoors that cannot be better
understood and appreciated with the aid of topographic maps.
NATIONAL TO PO G R A PH IC PROGRAM
The National Topographic Program is intended to meet
national and local needs for maps used in inventory, develop
ment, and management o f the natural resources o f the country,
as well as in highway and regional planning, conservation,
defense, and many other activities. The production, maintenance,
and distribution of the National Topographic Map Series o f the
United States and its outlying areas are responsibilities of the
U.S. Geological Survey.
A map series is a group o f maps which conform to the same
specifications or have a common unifying characteristic such as
scale. The National Topographic Map Series is composed of the
basic series listed below:
7^-minute quadrangle (1:24,000 scale)
Puerto Rico 7‘A-ininute quadrangle (1:20,000 scale)
15-minute quadrangle (1:62,500 scale)
Alaska (1:63,360 scale)
1:250,000 scale
National Park (varying scales)
State (1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000 scales)
•United States (varying scales)
International Map o f the World
(1:1,000,000 scale)
•Antarctic (varying scales)
•Trust Territory o f the Pacific Islands (1:25,000 scale).
Topographic maps prepared by the Army Topographic
Command, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Forest Service, Missis
sippi River Commission, and Tennessee Valley Authority, in con
nection with their regular activities, are edited and published by
the Geological Survey and are included in the National Topo
graphic Map Series. Domestic mapping operations currently in
progress by these agencies are included in the map below.
From its beginning in 1879, the Geological Survey topographic
program has been directed toward adequate topographic map
ping of the entire country. In the United States, as in other coun
tries throughout the world, a progressive change in what is
considered to be adequate mapping has taken place. The trend
has been toward larger scale maps that have more detail, accu
racy, and information. In the late 1950’s, it became apparent
that the detail and accuracy of the 1:24,000-scale maps are
essential for most regions of the conterminous United States, and
that any program which resulted only in smaller scale maps
would be uneconomical.
In developing the National Topographic Program, needs for
mapping are evaluated according to relative importance and
urgency. New projects are added annually to the extent that
available funds and mapping capacity permit. The projects are
selected on the basis of highest composite priority determined
from requests presented annually by a number of Federal agen
cies, by State and local agencies, and by other organizations.
The program is financed primarily through direct appropria
tions by Congress, but State and local agencies also contribute
funds for mapping which are matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis
with Federal funds under cooperative mapping programs. The
mapping thus developed serves the State or local need on a pri
ority basis and, at the same time, contributes to the National
Topographic Program.
The National Topographic Program consists o f three prin
cipal parts: standard quadrangle mapping, map revision, and
small-scale and special mapping.
STANDARD QUADRANGLE MAPPING is defined as
topographic mapping of 7Vi- and 15-minute quadrangles covering
the United States and its outlying areas, generally at 1:24,000
and 1:62,500 scales (1:63,360 for Alaska). Since 1957 the Geo
logical Survey has performed all topographic surveys for standard
quadrangle mapping in the conterminous States and Hawaii with
accuracy and content required for publication at 1:24,000 scale.
Maps o f a few areas have been published initially at 1:62,500
scale; however, the 1:24,000-scale surveys for these areas, in the
form o f map manuscripts, are available as advance prints and for
future publication at the larger scale. Most Alaska mapping has
been prepared and published at 1:63,360 scale. About 80 percent
*N o index of this series is show n in th e Atlas
of the United States is covered by either published maps or
advance manuscripts of maps in the IVi- and 15-minute quad
rangle series, and an active program is underway to complete
the coverage as soon as possible.
One of the most important characteristics o f standard quad
rangle mapping is horizontal and vertical accuracy. Under the
National Topographic Program, maps are compiled to meet
National Map Accuracy Standards. To meet the accuracy require
ments, the horizontal accuracy at 1:24,000 scale must be such
that at least 90 percent o f well-defined points tested will not be
in error by more than 40 feet. Vertical accuracy must be such
that at least 90 percent of the elevations tested will not be in
error by more than one-half the contour interval, with an allow
ance for horizontal displacement within the permissible horizontal
error of the map.
MAP REVISION is the process by which standard quad
rangle maps are kept up to date. Topographic maps become
obsolete because of changes resulting from economic expansion
and population growth and in mapping standards. New highway
and public works construction, urbanization, and changes in
land-use patterns all make existing topographic maps progres
sively less informative, as do the more gradual changes in the
terrain resulting from erosion and shifts in surface-water flow
patterns. As these changes occur in an area covered by a map,
there is a rapid decrease in the number of uses for which the
map is suited without costly revision.
Normal map revision generally involves the same compila
tion and publication procedures used in the production o f new
mapping. As a result, a revised map generally has the same
characteristics as a new map and the date of revision appears in
the map margin. The cost and time required to revise a standard
quadrangle map will vary depending on the number and nature
of the deficiencies which require correction.
To expedite the revision program, a special form of revision
called interim revision was implemented by the Geological Sur
vey in 1967. It consists primarily of updating planimetric fea
tures which are visible on aerial photographs, without undertaking
additional surveys in the field. The updated information is over
printed in purple on the features of the old map. Maps updated
under the interim-revision program are available in a much
shorter time and at considerably lower cost than maps revised
by normal methods.
SMALL-SCALE AND SPECIAL MAPPING.-Miscellaneous small-scale and special maps are prepared from available
source data and new compilation to meet a variety of special
needs. The program includes all maps of the National Topo
graphic Map Series except the standard quadrangle maps. Topo
graphic maps published under this program are listed or shown
in the several indexes on the pages that follow.
NATIONAL ATLAS
1:24,000-SCALE MAPS
As a principal part o f the N ational Topographic Pro
gram, the U.S. Geological Survey prepares and pub
lishes general-purpose topographic maps in the
7%-minute series at a scale o f 1:24,000 (1 inch rep
resents 2,000 feet) and on a polyconic projection.
Each m ap sheet measures IVi minutes in latitude
and longitude and covets an area ranging from 67
square miles in southern Florida to 49 square miles
in northern Montana. Each quadrangle map is
identified by the nam e o f a city, town, or other
major feature o f the mapped area and also by the
geographic coordinates of its southeast corner.
The maps are printed in colors which indicate
the general classes of information they represent.
Black indicates culture, such as roads, railroads,
boundary lines, and buildings. It is also used for
names, notes, and most labels. Blue indicates water
features—streams, lakes, marshes or swamps, and
drainage channels. Brown represents, by contour
lines, relief features or land forms such as hills,
mountains, and valleys. G reen indicates wooded land
o f various types. Red emphasizes the main high
ways and represents urban areas and lines and
comers o f U.S. and other land surveys.
Since 1957, all m ap manuscripts of the contermi
nous United States and Hawaii have been prepared
to meet 1:24,000-scale standards for accuracy and
content. Even if a m ap is published at a scale of
1:62^00, the manuscript is available at 1:24,000 for
map users who need information at the larger scale.
In addition to the normal multicolor printing, each
new and reprinted m ap is published in a special
printing which omits contour lines and woodland
tint.
Large-scale maps, such as these at 1:24,000,
are especially useful for highly developed areas or
rural areas where detailed information is needed
for engineering planning or similar purposes.
1:62,500-SCALE MAPS
M aps o f quadrangle areas measuring 15 by 15 min
utes in latitude and longitude are published by the
U.S. Geological Survey at the scale o f 1:62,500 (1
inch represents nearly 1 mile). The areas covered
by these maps range from 271 square miles in
southern Florida to 197 square miles in northern
Montana. Each m ap is identified by the geographic
coordinates o f its southeast corner and by the name
o f a city, town, or other m ajor feature o f the area;
identical names may be assigned to the 15-minute
quadrangle and one o f the component 7V4-minute
quadrangles.
Maps o f this series are printed in the same
colors used for 7 Vi-minute maps. Content is also
generally the same, since the final map drawings are
now prepared from 1.24,000-scale original manu
scripts. However, the contour interval is usually twice
as large, some m inor features are omitted, and less
hydrographic detail is shown. A special printing,
without contour lines or woodland tint, is available
for m aps published o r reprinted since 1964.
Alaska is extensively m apped at a scale of
1:63360 (1 inch represents 1 mile). These maps are
comparable to those o f the 15-minute series in con
tent, b u t the manuscripts are not prepared at a scale
o f 1:24,000 and the longitudinal width ranges from
20 to 36 minutes. Special printings, without contour
lines and woodland tint, are available.
M aps at scales o f 1:62.500 and 1:63,360 are gen
erally considered adequate for all uses other than
detailed planning.
INTERIM REVISION
In 1967 the Geological Survey initiated a program
o f interim revision to update maps rapidly and eco
nomically by interpreting and compiling features
from aerial photographs. The new information, which
represents changes that have occurred since the
previous m ap edition, is printed in purple. Features
th at are added to the m ap include highways, indus
trial plants, suburban housing, shopping centers,
dams, reservoirs, and relocated streams. The new
planimetric features are not field checked, but the
additions are in effect accurate and complete. In
this type o f revision, major errors found on the
original m ap are corrected, and selected interior
nomenclature and marginal notes are updated.
Interim revision does not include the addition of
proposed roads or the updating o f such m ap fea
tures as contour lines, fence and field lines, land
lines, boundary lines, and depth curves and sound
ings. W oodland information is revised only where
changes are sufficient to w arrant recompilation.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING
The 1:250,000-scale maps (1 inch represents about
4 miles) are p art o f the N ational Topographic
Map Series. They show populated places, roads,
railroads, and other m anmade features, bound
aries, public-land lines, hydrographic features,
relief features, and woodlands. Because o f the
limitations o f this scale, features are generalized
and some small ones are omitted. These maps
are useful in planning projects extending over
large areas.
The conterminous U nited States and Hawaii
are covered by 473 published maps. The initial
editions were prepared by the Army M ap Service
for military use. These maps, which are now main
tained and published by the U.S. Geological
Survey for distribution to the public, were com
piled from topographic maps o f the Geological
Survey and other Federal agencies, aerial photo
graphs, State highway maps, county maps, and
other available information.
T he 1:250,000-scale m aps are drawn on a
transverse M ercator projection, are generally pub
lished in quadrangle units o f 1° of latitude by 2°
o f longitude, and cover areas ranging from 6,346
to 8,669 square miles, depending on the latitude.
The contour interval ranges from SO feet in rela
tively flat areas to 200 feet in mountainous areas.
Supplementary contours at one-half the basic
contour interval are sometimes added in areas of
low relief for a more detailed representation than
the regular interval affords.
Alaska is covered by 153 topographic maps
at this scale prepared by the Geological Survey.
The maps are generally published in quadrangle
units o f 1° o f latitude by 2° or 3° o f longitude
and cover areas ranging from 4,580 square miles
in the latitude o f Point Barrow to 7,309 square
miles in south-central Alaska. M any o f the Alaska
maps are also available in a shaded-relief edition.
Puerto Rico is shown on a similar topographic
m ap b u t at a scale o f 1:240,000.
In cooperation with the N ational Science
Foundation, the Geological Survey is preparing a
series o f reconnaissance topographic maps of
W est Antarctica and the Transantarctic Mountains
at a scale o f 1:250,000 with shaded relief. These
maps are published in quadrangle units o f 1° lati
tude and vary in longitude from 3° to 15°, depend
ing on the latitude, and represent areas from 4,500
to 6,500 square miles. Because the compilation
information is limited in some areas, m any o f these
maps show only partial coverage.
Maps along the United States-Mexico
boundary include areas in the United States
only. Those along the United StatesCanada boundary include areas in Canada
311
1:250,000-SCALE TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
STATUS AS O F JULY 1, 1969
HAWAII
NATIONAL ATLAS
STATE MAPPING
STATE M A P SERIES
State m aps are p ublished by the U.S. G eological Survey in base, topographic, and
sh aded-relief editions. These m aps, constructed on the L am bert conform al conic
projection at a scale o f 1:500,000 (1 inch represents approxim ately 8 miles), are
available in all three editions for m ost o f the conterm inous States. There are m aps
o f Alaska a t scales o f 1:1,584,000 and 1:2,500,000.
T he base edition for State m aps shows counties, populated places, railroads,
p ublic-land lines, an d hydrographic features. Base m aps o f the 48 conterm inous
States are also published in a black and white edition at a scale o f 1:1,000,000
(1 in ch represents approxim ately 16 miles).
T h e topographic e dition portrays the shape o f the terrain and ground elevations
by co n to u r lines at intervals o f 200 o r 500 feet, depending on the m agnitude o f the
relief. T his e dition shows highways, national parks and m onum ents, w ildlife refuges,
n ational forests, an d In dian reservations.
O n the sh aded-relief edition, the shading is overprinted on a simplified base
m ap w hich usually shows only county boundaries, county seats, hydrographic fea
tures, and large cities.
Compiled by U.S. Geological Survey, 1969
SPECIAL MAPPING
1:1,000,000-SCALE MAPS
T h e U.S. G eological Survey is publishing a series o f topographic m aps o f the U nited
States at the scale o f 1:1.000,000 (1 inch represents approxim ately 16 miles on the
ground). T h e initial e dition o f 14 m aps was published as the U nited States’ contribu
tion to the International M ap o f the W orld (IM W ) in accordance w ith standard
specifications fo r th a t series. A nother series o f m aps at this scale prepared by the
A rm y M ap Service (now U.S. A rm y Topographic C om m and) is distributed by the
G eological Survey for civil use. A lthough this latter series does not conform to
IM W specifications in all respects the m aps usually contain m ore recent inform ation
th an m a p ; o f the original IM W series and will satisfy the sam e general purposes.
Five o f the m aps are available in bo th the IM W and A rm y M ap Service series.
T h e G eo lo g ic a l S urvey is pro d u c in g IM W m aps fo r th e re m ain d e r o f the
country n o t covered a t 1:1,000,000 scale. These m aps conform to new IM W speci
fications ad o p ted in 1962.
T h e m aps show principal populated places, roads and railroads, political bound
aries, an d hydrographic features. R elief features are show n by contour lines and
hypsom etric tints. E ach m a p is n um bered in accordance w ith the designation system
ad opted for the IM W series and is n am ed for one o f the principal localities or n atural
features w ithin its area. T h e m aps are published in quadrangle units o f 4° o f latitude
by 6° o f longitude (12° fo r A laska) and cover areas ranging from 73,734 to 122,066
square miles, d epending o n the latitude.
313
Compiled by U.S. Geological Survey, 1969
1:2,000,000-SCALE SECTIONAL MAPS
T h e U.S. G eological Survey has prepared this series o f planim etric m aps specifi
cally fo r th is A tlas. T h e se m aps are com piled o n th e A lbers E q u a l A rea p ro
jectio n an d depict all 50 States at the uniform scale o f 1:2,000,000, o r one inch
represents approxim ately 32 miles. T o m aintain a uniform scale throughout the 50
States, it was necessary th a t Alaska, California, M ontana, and Texas each be show n
o n m ore th an one sectional m ap. H owever, each o f the o ther 46 States is depicted
in its entirety on one sectional m ap. A n index m ap on page 5 shows the geographic
extent o f each o f these sectional m aps; a legend describes the symbolization.
Inform ation p o rtrayed on these general reference m aps includes populated
places, roads an d railroads, political boundaries, hydrographic features, m ajor defense
installations, airfields a n d airports, selected elevations, and four types o f reserved
lands: N atio n al forests, parks and m onum ents, w ildlife refuges, and Indian reserva
tions. Based o n th eir p roclam ation boundaries, these lands have been show n areally
dow n to a m in im um o f approxim ately 1100 acres; below that size a uniform spot
sym bol has been used.
SPECIAL MAPPING
NATIONAL ATLAS
Topographic m aps o f several national parks, monuments,
and historic sites are published and distributed by the U.S.
Geological Survey. These maps, ranging widely in scales, depict,
in addition to the culture and drainage, the relief o f the earth’s
surface by contour lines. Some o f the m aps are available with
a shaded relief overprint.
M etropolitan area maps, at a scale o f 1:24,000, are made
by combining the content o f several quadrangle maps that cover
the selected cities and their adjacent areas. Each map is gener
ally printed as a single sheet; however, larger cities require the
maps to be on two or more sheets. They are used principally
for urban studies.
M any o ther special topographic maps and sheets are avail
able; some are listed below. D etailed descriptions o f all maps
published for each State are available from the Geological
Survey.
NATIONAL PARKS, M O NUM ENTS,
A N D HISTORIC SITES
1 Acadia National Park and vicinity, Maine
2 Badlands National M onum ent, S. Dak.
3 Bandelier National M onument and
vicinity, N . Mex.
4 Black Canyon o f the G unnison N ational
M onument, Colo.
5 Bryce Canyon National Park, U tah
6 Canyon de Chelly N ational M onument,
Ariz.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Canyonlands National Park, U tah
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, N . Mex.
C edar Breaks N ational M onum ent, U tah
Colonial National M onum ent (Yorktown
Battlefield), Va.
Colorado National Monument, Colo.
Crater Lake N ational Park and vicinity,
Oreg.
Craters o f the Moon National Monument,
Idaho
Custer Battlefield, Mont.
Devils Tower N ational M onument, Wyo.
Dinosaur National M onument, Colo.-Utah
Franklin D. Roosevelt N ational Historic
Site, N.Y.
G lacier N ational Park, Mont.
G rand Canyon N ational M onument, Ariz.
G rand C anyon N ational Park and vicinity,
Ariz.
21 G rand Teton N ational Park, Wyo.
22 G reat Sand Dunes National M onument,
Colo.
23 G reat Smoky M ountains National Park,
Tenn.-N .C . (2 sheets)
2 4 G reat Smoky M ountains National Park
and vicinity, Tenn.-N.C.
25 Isle Royale N ational Park, Mich.
26 Lassen Volcanic National Park and
vicinity, Calif.
27 M ammoth Cave National Park, Ky.
28 Mesa V erde N ational Park, Colo.
29 M ount M cKinley National Park, Alaska
1:24,000
1:62,500
1956
1960
1:24,000
1953
1:24,000
1:31,680
1953
1932
1:48,000
1:62,500
1:24,000
1:15,840
1938
1968
1934
1936
1:9,600
1:24,000
1931
1962
1:62,500
1956
1:31,680 1957
1:24,000 1891
1949
1:4,800
1:62,500 1941
1:960
1946
1:125,000 1938
1:48,000 1936
1:62,500
1:62,500
1962
1948
1:24,000
1938
1:62,500 1931
1:125,000 1961
1:62,500 1957
1:62,500
1:31,680
1:24,000
1:250,000
1957
1930
1967
1951
30 M ount Rainier National Park, Wash.
31 Olympic National Park and vicinity, Wash.
32 Petrified Forest N ational M onument, Ariz.
33 Rocky M ountain National Park, Colo.
3 4 Scotts Bluff National M onument, Nebr.
35 Sequoia and Kings Canyon N ational
Parks and vicinity, Calif.
3 6 Shenandoah N ational Park, Va. (2 sheets)
37 Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic
Site, N.Y.
3 8 Vicksburg National Military Park, Miss.
39 Wind Cave N ational Park and vicinity,
S. Dak.
4 0 Yellowstone N ational Park, W yo.-M ont.Idaho
41 Yosemite N ational Park and vicinity,
Calif
4 2 Yosemite Valley, Calif.
43 Zion N ational Park (Kolob section), U tah
4 4 Zion National Park (Zion Canyon
section), U tah
1:62,500
1:125,000
1:62,500
1:62,500
1:15,840
1955
1957
1967
1961
1939
1:125,000
1:62,500
1967
1930
1:3,600
1:9,600
1946
1935
1:24,000
1957
1:125,000
1961
1:125,000
1:24,000
1:31,680
1958
1958
1957
1:31,680
1957
METROPOLITAN AREAS
1 Albuquerque, N. Mex.
2 Anchorage, Alaska
3 Atlanta, Ga.
4 Austin, Tex.
5 Baton Rouge, La.
6 Boston, Mass.
7 Bridgeport, Conn.
8 Buffalo, N.Y.
9 C ham paign-Urbana, 111.
10 Chattanooga, Tenn.-G a.
11 Chicago, Ill.-Ind. (3 sheets)
12 Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.
13 Cleveland, Ohio
14 Columbus, Ohio
15 Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, Ill.-Iowa
16 Dayton, Ohio
17 Denver, Colo.
18 Detroit, Mich.-Ont., Canada (2 sheets)
19 Duluth, Superior, M inn.-Wis.
20 Fort W orth, Tex.
21 Gary, Ind.
22 Hartford, New Britain, Conn.
23 Honolulu, Hawaii
2 4 Houston, Tex.
25 Indianapolis, Ind.
26 Juneau, Alaska
27 Knoxville, Tenn.
28 Little Rock, Ark.
29 Long Beach, Calif.
30 Los Angeles, Calif. (2 sheets)
31 Louisville, K y.-Ind.
32 Madison, Wis.
33 Milwaukee, Wis.
3 4 M inneapolis, St. Paul, Minn.
35 New Haven, Conn.
36 New Orleans, La.
1960
1962
1955
1955
1963
1958
1951
1948
1950
1958
1953
1961
1963
1955
1953
1955
1957
1952
1954
1955
1960
1953
1954
1955
1959
1948
1953
1961
1951
1953
1955
1959
1959
1952
1954
1952
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
New York. N.Y .-N .J.-C onn. (8 sheets)
Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Va.
Oakland, Calif.
Peoria, 111.
Philadelphia, P a.-N.J. (2 sheets)
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Portland, Vancouver, Oreg.-Wash.
Rochester, N.Y.
Salt Lake City, U tah
San Diego, Calif.
San Francisco, Calif.
Seattle, Wash.
Shreveport, La.
Spokane, Wash.
Tacoma, Wash.
Toledo, O hio-Mich.
Washington, D .C .-M d.-Va.
Wichita, Kans.
Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Pa.
Wilmington, N .J.-D el.-Pa.
Worcester, Mass.
Youngstown, Ohio-Pa.
1954-1957
1955
1947
1949
1955-1956
1960
1961
1952
1963
1953
1954
1950
1960
1963
1961
1952
1965
1961
1947
1955
1953
1954
OTHER AREAS
Airlie, Oreg.
Asher, Okla.
Austin area, Reese River mining district, Nev.
Bingham mining map, U tah
Bisbee and vicinity, Ariz.
Breckenridge special, Colo.
Bridge Canyon, Ariz.
Bull Valley district, U tah
Camp G ordon and vicinity, Ga.
Camp Mills, N ,Y.
Cartersville m ining district, Ga.
Central City, Colo.
Central Owens Valley, Calif.
Central Valley delta area, Calif.
Central Valley north area, Calif.
Central Valley south area, Calif.
Charlottesville and vicinity, Va.
Coeur d’Alene district, Idaho-M ont.
Creede and vicinity, Colo.
Dahlonega district, Ga.
Denver M ountain area, Colo.
Denver M ountain parks, Colo.
Dry Creek area, Idaho
Elk Basin, Wyo.-Mont.
Ely, Nev.
Ely Range, Nev.
Eureka mining district, Nev.
Genesee, Calif.
Gold Hill mining area, Colo.
Goldfield special, Nev.
Hannibal and vicinity, Mo.-IU.
Hinsdale, Mont.
Hot Springs and vicinity, Ark.
1914-1922
1906
1956
1899-1900
1902
1908
1926
1938
1887
1897
1941
1904
1905-1911
1957
1957
1957
1935
1900-1901
1910
1905
1948
1903-1923
1946
1944
1906
1916
1931
1891
1937-1938
1905
1936
1903-1904
1910-1911
Idaho Springs special, Colo.
Joplin district, M o.-Kans.-Okla.
Kauai (Island), Hawaii
Kellogg and vicinity, Idaho
King Hill area, Idaho
Kittitas drainage district, Wash. (3 sheets)
La Barge, Wyo.
Lanai (Island), Hawaii
Little Eightmile m ining district, Idaho
Lonesome, Mont.'
Lordsburg, N. Mex.
M agdalena district, N. Mex.
M anhattan and vicinity, Nev.
Marysville, Mont.
Maui (Island), Hawaii
Molokai (Island), Hawaii
Mono Lake and vicinity, Calif.
Mullan and vicinity, Idaho
N ational Bison Range, Mont.
Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1, Calif.
Needles, Ariz.-Calif.
Niagara Gorge, N .Y .-Canada
Niihau (Island), Hawaii
Nisqually Glacier, Wash.
Northwest part of Prague, Okla.
Oahu (Island), Hawaii
Owens Lake and vicinity, Calif.
Picture Gorge, Oreg.
Pikes Peak and vicinity, Colo.
Platoro mining area, Colo.
Pottsville and vicinity, Idaho-M ont.
Ray and vicinity, Ariz.
Rochester mining district, Nev.
Rock R un and vicinity, A la.-G a.
Saco special, Mont.
Salton Sink, Calif.
San Antonio, Texas
Silver Plume special, Colo.
Smelterville and vicinity, Idaho
Squaw Butte Ranch, Oreg.
Sugarloaf-St. Kevin mining districts, Colo.
Summitville mining area, Colo.
Superior coal district, Wyo.
Superior mining district, Wyo.
Taos and vicinity, N . Mex.
Taylorsville, Calif.
Tenmile district, Colo.
Tenmile mining district, Colo. (2 sheets)
Tennessee River Basin (base map)
Tennessee River Basin (hydraulic map)
Terlingua district, Texas
Tintic mining district, Utah
Tinton and vicinity, Wyo.-S. Dak.
Tombstone and vicinity, Ariz.
Tombstone district, Ariz.
U m iat special, Alaska
Valdez and vicinity, Alaska
Willow Creek district, Wyo.
Yerington district, Nev.
1904
1900
1910
1937
1946
1938-1939
1935-1936
1923
1930-1931
1904
1931-1932
1910-1929
1914
1899
1929
1921-1922
1899-1914
1938-1939
1929
1928
1949-1950
1912
1926
1966
1906
1922-1923
1905-1911
1953
1952
1936
1940
1910
1916
1940-1941
1903
1906
1954
1904
1937
1936
1929
1936
1943
1940
1936
1891
1882
1939
1933
1933
1902
1911
1939
1907
1904-1905
1945
1911-1912
1942-1943
1913-1914
SPECIAL MAPPING AND SURVEYS
Copies o f the plats and field notes repre
senting all the public land surveys executed
in the U nited States are filed in the Bureau
o f L and M anagem ent, W ashington, D.C.
Copies o f survey records are also filed in
the State offices o f the Bureau, located at
Phoenix, Ariz., Sacram ento and Riverside, 3°'
Calif., D enver, Colo., Boise, Idaho, Bil-i
lings, M ont., R eno, Nev., Santa Fe, N. M ex.,\
P ortland, Oreg. (also has records for W ash
ington), Salt L ake City, U tah, Cheyenne,
W y o ., a n d A n c h o r a g e a n d F a ir b a n k s ,
Alaska. E ach office has the records pertainto the State in which it is located. For
o ther public-land States w here the surveys
have been com pleted, the original records,
previously held in branch offices o f the for
m er G eneral Land Office, have been trans
ferred to the individual States. T he only
exception is O klahom a, w here no records
have been filed w ith the State.
Principal meridian and base line gov
erning a certain area of public land
Cadastral surveys completed
Protraction diagrams completed (land
lines computed and plotted but not
surveyed or marked on the ground)
NATIONAL ATLAS
GEODETIC CONTROL
317
_
NATIONAL ATLAS
GEO D ETIC C O N TRO L D IAGRAM S
Since 1959 the U .S. C oast and G eodetic Survey an d the U.S. G eological Survey have been
cooperating in the p ublication o f a series o f diagram s a t the scale o f 1:250,000 w hich
show the location an d o rder (quality) o f geodetic control established by each agency. The
c ontrol consists o f m onum ented points; located objects, such as w ater tanks, lookout
towers, an d church steeples; level lines; transit and theodolite traverse lines; triangulation
lines a n d nets; electronic surveys; and m easured base lines. State survey control which
m eets prescribed accuracy standards is show n in som e instances. Preparation o f diagram s
fo r A laska an d H aw aii is n o t planned a t this time.
DESCRIPTIVE LISTS O F GEOD ETIC CON TROL
R ecords o f geodetic control surveys are m aintained independently by the C oast and Geodetic
Survey an d th e G eological Survey; each agency publishes and distributes descriptions o f
th e control fo r w hich it is responsible. T he lists published by the C oast and G eodetic
S urvey are assem bled in 30-m inute quadrangle booklets; a small percentage is assem bled
for larger o r sm aller units, depending on the density o f the control in the particular area
covered. T h e G eological Survey publishes vertical control lists and horizontal control
lists, each assem bled in separate 15-minute quadrangle units.
GEODETIC CONTROL
PHOTOMAPPING
The map at the bottom of the page shows
areas for which aerial mosaics and related
products have been compiled by or for Federal
and State agencies. The term “mosaic” as
used herein means an assembly o f individual
aerial photographs which have been tom or
cut, matched, and mounted to form a contin
uous photographic representation of an area
on the earth’s surface. A mosaic is usually
prepared for a particular need rather than for
general use; consequently, projection, scale,
format, nomenclature, and related carto
graphic elements may vary from one mosaic
to another. Mosaics may be uncontrolled,
meaning assembled without regard to any
horizontal control positions, or they may be
controlled, meaning assembled by matching
the photographic images o f selected ground
points to the corresponding plotted positions
of those points. The aerial mosaics indicated
on this map are not classified as controlled
or uncontrolled.
T he G e o lo g ic a l S urvey m a in ta in s
records of new mosaic projects. Information
on plans and progress in mosaic preparation,
as well as a larger scale index o f available
aerial mosaics, can be obtained from the Map
Information Office, U.S. Geological Survey,
Washington, D.C. 20242.
The mosaics of the Geological Survey are
“orthophotomosaics.” They are made from
orthophotographs, which are prepared from
conventional vertical aerial photographs by
converting images from their natural perspec
tive position to a true planimetric position at
a uniform scale. In this conversion, incre
mental rectification of the photographs is used
to correct positions of images displaced by
differences in ground elevation and tilt o f the
camera.
Compared with a standard topographic
map, an orthophotograph is equivalent in rela
tive accuracy but contains much more plani
metric detail. Whenever a pictorial represen
tation larger than the area covered by a single
orthophotograph is needed, two or more con
tiguous orthophotographs, prepared at a
common scale, are assembled to form an
orthophotomosaic.
Two forms of map data—the orthophoto
mosaic and the topographic map—can be used
either independently or combined as an ortho
photomap. An orthophotomap, as prepared by
the U.S. Geological Survey, is a topographic
map on which the natural and cultural features
o f an area are depicted by color-enhanced
photographic images in orthographic position.
Although the orthophotomap requires some
interpretation by the user, it contains an
abundance o f detail not found on the con
ventional map. The colors on an orthophoto
map are selected to approximate as nearly as
possible the prevalent hues of the ground
surface. For selected areas with unusual ter
rain, orthophotomaps are preferable to con
ventional topographic quadrangle maps. One
o f these areas, the Okefenokee Swamp, has
been covered by 16 orthophotomaps.
There are no fixed criteria for the kind
and amount of overprinted symbols to be
shown on orthophotomaps; cartographic
judgment is exercised for each area to be
mapped. Annotations include, at the least,
names and boundary lines. In addition,
depending on the area and the intended
use, water features and major transportation
routes may be enhanced, particularly in
areas where they are partially obscured by vege
tation; contours and elevations may also
be added.
Orthophotomaps by U.S. Geological
Survey
Orthophotomosaics by U.S. Geo
logical Survey
AERIAL MOSAICS
O ’
Bureau of Reclamation
Tennessee Valley Authority
U.S. Soil Conservation Service
Commercial firms
NATIONAL ATLAS
G EO LO GIC MAPPING
GEOLOGIC MAPPING
G eologic m aps show th e distribution o f rocks and
unconsolidated deposits which occur a t the surface o f the
earth. D ifferent rock units are distinguished on the basis o f
recognizable characteristics such as color, grain size, m ineral
constitution, an d resistance to w eathering. T heir age is
d eterm ined by rate o f deposition, superposition, by the study
o f included fossils, an d by analysis o f products o f radio
active disintegration. F o r ease o f reference, the rock units
are given form al n am es tak en fro m geographic features o r
in form al n am es using descriptive lithologic terms.
T h e rock units plotted o n a m ap by a geologist m ake
varying p atterns w hich reflect the geom etric shapes o f the
original deposits a n d th eir su bsequent geologic history
thro u g h m illions an d even billions o f years. T he original
shapes o f deposits, in tu rn , dep en d ed upon their m ode o f
form ation a n d th e area over w hich a given set o f physical
conditions p revailed a t the tim e o f form ation. F o r example,
a rock u n it form ed by th e extrusion u pon the surface o f
m olten lava from a volcanic cen ter w ould norm ally b e lim
ited in extent, b u t volcanic ash throw n out in a violent
explosion from the sam e center m ight be spread by the
w ind over thousands o f square miles. R ocks form ed by the
consolidation o f sedim ents d eposited in a b road shallow sea
w ould b e o f w ide areal extent in com parison w ith their
thickness, b u t rocks form ed from sedim ents deposited in an
in lan d lake m ight be m ore restricted in area.
T h e original extent o f rock bodies m ay have been
altered by faulting, folding, burial, an d subsequent erosion.
A geologic m ap shows the present d istribution o f rock units
as d eterm ined b y th e geologist from field exam ination.
Included o n th e m ap are sym bols show ing the geom etric
attitude o f p la n a r an d lin e a r features o f rocks, planes o f
form er m ovem ent o r faults, location o f rock a n d fossil
sam ples, a n d o th er geologic features such as the axes o f
folds o r th e lim its o f m etam orphic change.
G eologic m aps are generally published on topographic
base m aps because the p attern o f ou tcrop o f m ap units is
so d ep en d en t u p o n the configuration o f the earth’s surface.
T h e scale o f p ublished geologic m aps thus depends upon
the scale o f available topographic m aps. T he accom panying
index m aps show areas o f geologic m apping a t a scale o f
1:250,000, called sm all-scale geologic m aps, and 1:63,360 and
larger scales, called large-scale geologic m aps. Even smaller
scale geologic m aps o f States a n d regions are published at
a scale o f 1:500,000, natio n al m aps a t 1:2,500,000 and
1:3,168,000, an d continental m aps a t 1:5,000,000.
SMALL-SCALE GEOLOGIC MAPS
322
G eologic m apping a t 1:250,000 m akes u p an im portant
p a rt o f th e U .S . G eological Survey’s geologic-investigations
program . T he 1:250,000 an d sm aller scale geologic m aps
generally are based u p o n the generalization o f available
large-scale geologic m aps supplem ented by reconnaissance
geologic m apping at in term ediate scales. M apping at
1:250,000 h as now expanded to a po in t w here it constitutes
a b o u t one-fifth o f th e geologic-m apping program o f the
G eological Survey. M any State geological surveys also have
1:250,000-scale geologic-m apping program s w hich are
underw ay o r com pleted. T his jo in t effort by the Federal
and State surveys as a nationw ide program prom ises to
provide geologic-m ap coverage o f tw o-thirds o f the U nited
States by 1985.
T he U.S. Geological Survey is participating in 1:250,000-scale geologic-m apping program s th a t will provide
extensive o r com plete coverage o f Alaska, N evada, C olo
rado, and N ebraska w ithin a few years. Single-sheet 1° by
2° geologic m aps h ave been started in parts o f W ashington,
O regon, Idaho, M ontana, W yom ing, U tah, A rizona, N ew
Mexico, Iow a, N o rth C arolina, South C arolina, Tennessee,
an d Virginia.
T he 1:250,000-scale geologic m aps have a variety o f
uses. T hey help define areas w here the need for larger
scale m aps is m ost critical, and they direct attention to
b road geologic problem s involving large segments o f the
earth ’s crust. They have already proved to be ideal for
geologic analysis o f m ajor tectonic a n d stratigraphic pro b
lems, for analysis o f m ineral provinces, and for relating
b road geophysical anom alies to surface geology.
LARGE-SCALE GEOLOGIC MAPS
Large-scale geologic m apping, principally at scales o f
1:24,000 and 1:62,500, constitutes about four-fifths o f the
geologic-m apping program o f the G eological Survey. G eo
logic m aps at large scale are available for only about 20
percent o f the conterm inous U nited States. Approxim ately
h a lf o f these m aps have been produced by the G eological
Survey; the rem aining m aps were produced mostly by vari
ous State organizations and educational institutions. The
ultim ate goal is to obtain com plete detailed geologic-map
coverage o f the entire N ation.
T he Geological Survey is carrying out large-scale geologic-m apping projects in m any parts o f the country, w ith
intensive cooperative program s underw ay in K entucky,
M assachusetts, Connecticut, and Puerto Rico. O ther areas
where extensive m apping is underw ay include Arizona,
C alifornia, Colorado, Idaho, M ontana, M ichigan, New
Mexico, and W ashington.
Large-scale geologic m aps play a vital role in further
ing o u r scientific know ledge o f the earth and have many
uses. M aps o f m ineralized areas are used to (1) locate and
explore for econom ic m ineral deposits, (2) elucidate the
scientific principles that underlie form ation and distribution
o f ore deposits, and (3) prepare reserve and resource
estimates.
Geologic m aps are used extensively in planning and
carrying out large-scale engineering works and in locating
dam sites an d planning highway alinem ents and subw ay
routes. A ctual construction is aided through location o f
construction m aterials and estim ation o f costs in site p repa
ration. In som e areas, geologic m aps are indispensable in
avoiding such hazards as landslides, swelling clays, and
extensive seismic dam age d uring earthquakes.
MAPPING OR COMPILATION
PRIMARILY BY
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS
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Completed since 1930; or in
progress
PRIMARILY BY
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
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Principal Islands
Published
PROGRESS OF 1:250,000-SCALE
GEOLOGIC MAPPING OPERATIONS
JUNE 1967
Adapted from U.S. Geological Survey, Geological Survey
research, 1967, chap. A, U.S.Geological Survey Professional
Paper 575-A, Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1967, p. A63
Albers Equal Area Projection
0______ 100
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200
SCALE 1:17,000,000
200_____ 300
400 MILES
400
600 KILOMETERS
Fieldwork begur
GEOLO GIC MAPS
LYME
323
GEOLOGIC MAP
Scale 1:24,000
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SOILS M A PPIN G
SOILS M A PPIN G
SOIL MAPS
Scale 1:15,840
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NATIONAL ATLAS
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H YD RO LO GIC MAPPING
NATIONAL ATLAS
H Y D R O L O G IC IN V E S T IG A T IO N ATLASES
H ydrologic atlases fulfill a m a jo r objective o f th e waterresources investigations o f th e U .S. G eological Survey.
T he atlases, developed fro m b asic-data collection and
special studies, p resent a w ide range o f hydrologic and
h y d r o g e o lo g ic fa c ts c o n c e r n in g th e N a tio n ’s w a te r
resources. Som e hydrologic inform ation is difficult and
cum bersom e to express m eaningfully in text b u t can be
d epicted clearly a n d sim ply in m ap form for ready inter
p retation, especially w hen s u pplem ented by o ther graph
ics a n d notes.
M ore th a n 300 hydrologic atlases have been pub
lished by th e U .S . G eological Survey. M ost o f these
atlases have been p re p a re d in cooperation w ith State,
county, an d m unicipal agencies a n d cover areas o f exist
in g an d poten tial w ater p roblem s o r areas w here general
hydrologic m ap p in g an d inventory w ere desired. C ur
rently, atlases are being orien ted to cover n atu ral hydrologic units, such as d rainage basins. These atlases provide
a m ore m eaningful p resentation relating to the future
developm ent o f the N atio n ’s w ater resources. E ach atlas
consists o f one o r m ore sheets whose basic form at is a
m ap p resentation th at m ay cover any com bination o f
subjects. Subjects m ost frequently treated in this m an
n e r are w ater availability a n d d elineation o f areas inun
d ated by floods. Freq u en tly used com binations o f subjects
m ay include inform ation o n surface drainage, precipita
tio n a n d clim ate, geology, availability o f ground and
surface w ater, w ater quality a n d use, and streamflow
characteristics.
T h e sc a le o f m a p s u s e d f o r h y d ro lo g ic atla se s
d epends o n th e type o f presentation and on the avail
ability o f th e m aps. T h e prin cipal m aps are m ost fre
quently at a scale o f 1:24,000. A tlases dealing w ith large
regions, how ever, m ay req u ire a scale o f 1:250,000 or
sm aller. H ydrologic in fo rm atio n is show n on the m ap
328
superim posed on either a topographic o r a planim etric
base m ap o f the study area. T he principal m aps are
supplem ented by sm aller m aps, graphs, tables, a n d text
that illustrate facts an d present relevant data and analy
ses. P h o to g ra p h s a re o c c a sio n a lly u se d to illu stra te
changes caused by significant hydrologic events, landforms w ith hydrologic significance, im portant hydrologic
structures, o r o ther inform ation. References to sources
o f additional inform ation relating to the areas are also
given.
A dditional inform ation ab o u t hydrologic atlases is
available from the U.S. G eological Survey.
W A TER AVAILABILITY M A P S
The accom panying sam ple m ap is from a hydrologic
investigations atlas sheet th a t depicts the general avail
ability o f g round w ater. It contains, superim posed on a
1:250,000 scale planim etric m ap, sym bols that represent
the quantity o f ground w ater, in gallons p er m inute, that
is generally available per well throughout the areas
shown. It also shows, for areas w here da ta are available
and w here the yield per well is sufficient, the d epth to
g round-w ater level. Lim its o f yield and depth to w ater
level in unstudied areas are estim ated on the basis o f
the best geologic and hydrologic data available and are
subject to revision. Such m aps are intended for use as a
convenient guide in planning w ater-supply projects for
domestic, municipal, industrial, and irrigation uses.
In recent years, w ork on determ ining w ater avail
ability has advanced on ab o u t 1,000 separate projects
per year, but barely one-third o f the country is covered.
Present work is aim ed tow ard the acquisition w ithin the
next decade o f generalized o r detailed coverage for 75
percent o f the N ation w ith som e inform ation for the
rem ainder. M apping is selective w ith greater stress on
those areas w here p o pulation a n d w ater use are growing
the fastest.
F L O O D IN U N D A T IO N M A PS
T he'a cc o m p an y in g p a rt o f a m ap from a hydrologic
atlas sheet shows areas inundated by two particular
floods. T he flood boundaries and related data are super
im posed on a topographic m ap a t a scale o f 1:24,000.
O n the atlas sheet the m ap is supplem ented by da ta in
the form o f graphs th at show frequency o f flood dis
charge and flood stages a t gaging stations in the area.
G raphs o f profiles show the elevations o f floodwaters,
and the elevations are keyed to the flood m ap. These
data can be used to evaluate the d epth and frequency
o f flooding that affect the econom ic developm ent o f
flood-plain lands. T hey are intended to be a tool for
individuals, governm ental agencies, and others dele
gated w ith the responsibilities o f solving existing flood
problem s and o f form ulating effective flood-plain regu
lations th a t w ould m inim ize the creation o f new flood
problem s. The m aps are useful, for exam ple, in preparing
building and zoning regulations, locating w aste dis
posal facilities, purchasing open space including under
writing a m ortgage and calculating flood insurance,
developing recreational areas, and m anaging surface
water in relation to ground-w ater resources.
Flood atlases have been published for areas o f the
N ation, including Puerto Rico. T he greatest concentra
tion o f flood m apping is for the area o f northeastern
Illinois. In addition to the detailed flood-inundation
m apping, there are several thousand topographic q u a d
rangles in w idely scattered areas th a t show outlines o f
flood-prone areas o r localities th at m ay be subject to
flood losses. These m aps are being printed as p a rt o f a
national program started in 1966 for m anaging flood
W A TER-TA BLE, S U R F A C E -D R A IN A C E ,
A N D E N G IN E E R IN G SO IL S M A PS
The accom panying m ap sam ple is from a hydrologic
investigations atlas th a t presents, by the use o f m aps,
text, graphs, and tables, inform atio n th a t is basic to the
designing o f highways and buildings, for th e orderly
planning and zoning o f u rb a n areas an d industrial sites,
and to the solving o f problem s related to developm ent
o f w ater supplies. This particular sam ple shows, by dis
tinctive symbols, the position o f th e w ater table, the
surface drainage system, an d the engineering classifica
tion o f soils. T h at inform ation is superim posed o n a
1:24,000-scale topographic m ap.
T he e ntire State o f D elaw are has been m ap p ed w ith
this type o f atlas b u t coverage elsew here is lim ited. The
n e e d fo r d a ta o n u r b a n h y d ro lo g y a n d th e c u r r e n t
em phasis on u rban areas are resulting in expanded
coverage.
O T H E R W A T E R -O R IE N T E D SU BJECTS
Several hydrologic investigations atlases include miscel
laneous inform ation concerning w ater-oriented subjects.
The accom panying m ap sam ple is from an atlas sheet
th a t describes the geology and hydrology o f the alluvial
deposits in a selected area. T he base on which the infor
m ation is overprinted is a 1:24,000-scale topographic
m ap. T he contours o f the bedrock, location o f alluvial
deposits, d epth to w ater, testing o f wells, an d th e well
log inform ation show n indicate the extent o f g ro u n d
w ater deposits and places w here wells can be expected
to yield adequate w ater. T he included chem ical analy
ses indicate the suitability o f th e w ater for dom estic,
industrial, and com m ercial uses. T h e m iscellaneous cate
gory o f m aps is highly v ariable in th e type o f hydrologic
inform ation portrayed and spotty in respect to n atio n
w ide coverage.
@FedFRASER