1. Contour Mapping and the Rule of “V’s”

2. What are contour lines?
These

3. What do contour lines show?
Elevation
Map B – measured feet
Map A
What is the highest elevation on map A? Map B?
3500 feet
47 feet

4. Reading a map with rivers
Knowing which way a river flows is often the key to being able to label contours correctly. It helps you find direction.
What happens to the contour lines in this picture when they cross a river?
They bend to form an upside down “V”.

5. Examples of V’s

6. What does the upside down V mean?
The point of the V is facing upstream. So you know the elevation is higher in the direction of the point.

7. Example of contour map

8. Depression Contours

9. Contour Spacing

10. Example of topo map

11. Drawing Contour Lines Let’s Practice!

12. Demo for drawing contour lines on map

13. Contour Activity #1

14. Contour Activity #2