Topography and the Water Cycle

Topography The study of or the making of detailed maps for a particular area

The focus is on landforms and elevation (height)

May include human features

“topo” means “local” or “place”

Topography and Water

Land features determine the direction and flow rate at which water will flow

Direction = water moves downhill

Flow Rate (speed)› Gradual slope =

slow moving› Steep slope =

fast moving

Watershed Area where all the water drains to

A small watershed will feed into a larger watershed

› Example:› Tuscarawas River is a

watershed that feeds into the Ohio River watershed, which feeds into the Mississippi River watershed, which feeds into the Gulf of Mexico

Topographic Maps Use lines and symbols to turn our 3D world into a 2 dimensional drawing

Topographic Lines Contour Lines represent elevation (height above sea level)

Contour lines never cross each other and never touch

Elevation of a contour line is always the same

Topographic Lines Index Lines have the elevation above sea level on it

Topographic Lines Interval Lines are contour lines without the elevation

Topographic Lines Contour Interval the elevation difference between each contour line

What is the contour interval on this map?The interval on this map is 10.

Complete this topographic map.

Contour interval is 10 meters.

Fill in the circles with the appropriate number for each index line.

Hint: The index lines that have small dashes attached to them show a decline in elevation.

In order, top to bottom, the answers are:50 meters90 meters50 meters20 meters20 meters0 meters

What kind of landform may this be?

Volcano