Contour Mapping and the
Rule of “V’s”
What are contour lines?
These
What do contour lines show?
Elevation
Map A
Map B – measured feet
What is the highest
elevation on map A? 3500 feet
Map B? 47 feet
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”.
Examples of V’s
What does the upside down V mean?
The point of the V is
f i upstream.
facing
t
So
S
you know the
elevation is higher in
the direction of the
point.
Example of contour map
Depression Contours
Contour Spacing
Example of topo map
Drawing
g Contour Lines
Let’s Practice!
Demo for drawing contour
lines on map
Contour Activity #1
Contour Activity #2