Contour Map Generator
Learn How to Generate Contour Maps
These nine lessons will teach you how to generate and interpret contour maps—enhancing your ability to understand your land, plan structures on your property, and engage in outdoor activities like hiking.
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Lesson 1
The first section of the course is focussed on introducing folks to Google Earth Pro (GEP); we go over how to download/install it (both on iOS and Windows computers), introduce users to the basic functions, scroll through the ages of time, and go on two virtual field trips.
Lesson 2
The second section of the course is focussed on introducing users to the basic tools in GEP; we go over using the path tool to both delineate your boundaries and highlight streams, the line tool to measure a straight line and obtain an elevation profile, and use the historical imagery function in conjunction with the polygon tool to accurately and efficiently find the area of a pasture. Further work is done with the historical imagery tool to identify potential future risks with regard to erosion of a stream bank.
Lesson 3
Part one of the third section delves into the use of the circle tool. First, we go over how to set up concentric zones of a certain radius with the circle tool, then use the polygon tool to cut out the area of the zone for more accurate use. Further, we use the polygon tool to cut out irregularly shaped areas within a certain radius for zoning.
Part two of the third section guides users on the techniques of setting up sectors with the circle tool in GEP. Further, other techniques are showcased on how to have amazing information readily available on your screen for planning purposes. Finally, we use the circle tool to investigate the proximity to the closest amenities and markets.
Lesson 4
The fourth lesson of the course introduces you to Contour Map Generator, and the nine layers contained within the comprehensive mapping package. By the end of this lesson, you will have the know-how to retrieve your own comprehensive mapping package from Contour Map Generator, and also have a new found appreciation for how computers graphically represent reality.
Lesson 5
Section five of the course introduces users to the layers of elevation and hillshade, inclusive in the comprehensive mapping package from Contour Map Generator. We begin with a discussion surrounding patterns and why they are so important, and then dive into the elevation and hillshade layers. The aim here is to adjust our lenses to be able to identify and extract patterns for more appropriate design.
Lesson 6
Contours steal the show for section six of the course. If you had purchased just the contour map from Contour Map Generator, this section will be important. We go over what contours are, how to read a contour map, and how to identify key landforms from this basic layer.
Lesson 7
Section seven of the course pertains to aspect and parted aspect. In this section you will learn about the difference between these two layers, and how to use them to identify microclimates, as well as other implications such as soil development.
Lesson 8
The penultimate section of the course explains the layers of slope angle and slope direction. We go over how slopes affect the flow of energy and we delve into the considerations one must take when taking slope angle and directions into account. Further, implications for microclimates, with emphasis on frost pockets, are discussed.
Lesson 9
Last but certainly not least is section nine, which focusses on the local drainage network within the area delineated, and the greater watershed in which that area is located. We start out local and investigate the drainage patterns in our own property, and how this can be applied to cold air as well. Finally, we take a look at our place in the greater watershed and go over some ways in which we can answer the fundamental question of “where am I?”.