Contour Lines

Contours
Definition
A contour line is a
line that passes
through points
having the same
elevation.
Eleven (11) characteristics of contour lines
1. Contour lines are continuous.
2. Contour lines are relatively parallel
unless one of two conditions exists.
3. A series of V-shape indicates a valley and
the V’s point to higher elevation.
4. A series U shape indicates a ridge. The U
shapes will point to lower elevation.
5. Evenly spaced lines indicate an area of
uniform slope.
Contour Line Characteristics-cont.
6. A series of closed contours with

increasing elevation indicates a hill and a
series of closed contours with decreasing
elevation indicates a depression.
7. Closed contours may be identified with a
+, hill, or -, depression.
8. Closed contours may include hachure
marks. Hachures are short lines
perpendicular to the contour line. They
point to lower elevation.
Contour Line Characteristics-cont.
9. The distance between contour lines indicates the

steepness of the slope. The greater the distance
between two contours the less the slope. The opposite
is also true.
10. Contours are perpendicular to the maximum slope.
11. A different type of line should be used for contours of
major elevations. For example at 100, 50 and 10 foot
intervals. Common practice is to identify the major
elevations lines, or every fifth line, with a bolder, wider,
line.
1. Contours are Continuous
• Some contour lines may close

within the map, but others will not.
• In this case, they will start at a
boundary line and end at a
boundary line.
• Contours must either close or
extend from boundary to boundary.
1. Continuous Contours-cont.
Is the topo map correct?

2. Contour lines are
parallel
• Two exceptions:
1. They will meet at a vertical cliff
2. They will overlap at a cave or overhang.
3. Valleys and higher elevation
A series of V-shapes indicates

a valley and the V’s point to
higher elevation.
4. U shapes and ridge
A series of U shapes indicates a

ridge. The U shapes will point
to lower elevation.
5. Contour Spacing
Evenly spaced contours indicate

an area of uniform slope.
Unevenly spaced contours

indicates an area with
variable slope.
6. Hills and
Depressions
A series of closed contours with
increasing elevation indicates a hill.
Hills may be identified with a

“+” with the elevations
6. Hills and
Depressions--cont.
❖ A series of closed
contours with decreasing
elevation indicates a
depression.
❖ Depressions may be
identified with a “-”.
8. Hachures
❖ Hachures are short lines which are

perpendicular to the contour line.
❖ Used to indicate a hill or a
depression.
❖ Not used on modern maps.
9. Contour Spacing
• Contours spaced close

together indicate a higher %
slope.
• Contours spaced wider
apart indicate lower %
slope.
9. Contour Spacing--cont.
Contours are
perpendicular to
maximum slope.
Different types of lines

should be used for
contours of major
elevations.
Common practice is to
identify the major
elevations lines, or every
fifth line, with a bolder,
9. Contour Spacing-
Intervals
• Another decision that must be made is the contour interval.

• The “best” interval depends on the use of the data.
Contour Intervals--
cont.
Types of topo map Nature of terrain Recommended interval (feet)
Large Scale Flat 0.5 or 1
Rolling 1 or 2
Hilly 2 or 5
Intermediate scale Flat 1, 2 or 5
Rolling 2 or 5
Hilly 5 or 10
Small scale Flat 2, 5 or 10
Rolling 10 or 20
Hilly 20 or 50
Mountainous 50, 100 or 200

Data Collection
When collecting topo data there are two
important issues:
1. Ensuring sufficient data is collected to define the terrain.

2. Ensuring two types of information is gathered for each station:
– Location
– Elevation
Defining an Object
• It is important to remember that

topographic surveys are three dimensional.
• To accurately represent an object on a topo
map data must be collected to define the
shape, location and changes in elevation
for an object.
Defining An Object-Hills and Depressions
How many stations are required to define

the shape of a hill or depression?
20 17
? ?
Interpolation
Interpolation
• Drawing contour lines to produce a topographic
map requires the ability to interpolated between
points.
• Interpolation is required because contour lines are
lines of constant elevation and the station
elevations that are measured in the field seldom
fall on the desired contour elevation.
• Interpolating is finding the proportional distance
from the grid points to the contour line elevation.
Drawing Contour Lines
• Topographic maps are three dimensional.
• When drawing contour lines all possible
paths must be investigated.

Contour Lines

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Contours

6. A series of closed contours with

9. The distance between contour lines indicates the

• Some contour lines may close

Is the topo map correct?

A series of V-shapes indicates

A series of U shapes indicates a

Evenly spaced contours indicate

Unevenly spaced contours

Hills may be identified with a

❖ Hachures are short lines which are

• Contours spaced close

Different types of lines

• Another decision that must be made is the contour interval.

Mountainous 50, 100 or 200

1. Ensuring sufficient data is collected to define the terrain.

• It is important to remember that

How many stations are required to define

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