What determines a watershed? Topography introduction

Topography and watersheds

Where water goes in a watershed is determined by topography. Topography is the physical features of the land. Let's look at what those are.

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​What determines where water goes in a watershed?

Contour lines represent one elevation. All points on the same contour line have the same elevation. Elevation is the height above sea level. Sea level would have an elevation of zero

​Rules of topographic maps

Multiple Choice

The height above sea level is called

• topographic

• contour

• elevation

• depth

Multiple Choice

What are the curved lines on a topographic map called?

• contour lines

• contour intervals

• slope

• elevation

Multiple Choice

What is the elevation of point B?

• 800 ft

• 850 ft

• 900 ft

• 1000 ft

Where one closed contour line surrounds another, the inner contour line is the higher elevation.

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​Rules of topographic maps

The elevation represented by a contour line is usually a multiple of 10: 10 feet, 50 feet, 100 feet, 1000 feet.

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​Rules of topographic maps

Multiple Choice

Determine the contour interval:

• 5 m

• 10 m

• 15 m

• 20 m

Multiple Choice

What is the highest elevation on this map?

• Over 320 meters

• Over 450 meters

• Over 220 meters

• Over 380 meters

Multiple Choice

When you move from one contour line to another, the elevation

• stays the same

• goes up or down

• disappears

• is below sea level

A contour line that is closed like a circle indicated a hill, ridge, or plateau.

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​Rules of topographic maps

Multiple Choice

How many peaks are on the map? (hill tops)

• 4

• 3

• 2

• 1

Every fifth contour line is darker than the other lines. This is called an index or index contour line.

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​Rules of topographic maps

Multiple Choice

What is the thick line indicating the elevation on a topographic map called?

• index line

• contour line

• contour interval

• none of the above

Contour lines that are closer together indicate a steep slope. Contour lines that are farther apart indicate a gentle slope.

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​Rules of topographic maps

Multiple Choice

If contour lines are close together, then the slope is

• gentle

• steep

• flat

• going up and down

Multiple Choice

What do contour lines that are farther apart represent?

• waterfall

• steep area

• gentle slope

• river

Multiple Choice

Which side of Holland Hill is the steepest?

• North

• South

• East 

• West

Multiple Choice

Which side is steeper?

• The left side of the hill

• The right side of the hill

Multiple Choice

On a topographic map of a mountain, you walk a longer distance to get to the top when the contour lines are

• spread out

• close together

• going down

• going up

Multiple Choice

Which topographic map matches formation C?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

Match the topographic map to its profile.

Multiple Choice

Why are topographic maps useful?

• They are able to show elevation on flat pieces of paper.

• They are not.

• They show you how to get home.

• They show local trails.