Topographic Maps @ the Library

The Tulsa City-County Library Research Center at the Central Library (RC) houses in its map collection several series of USGS topographic maps.

Topographic maps (also called topo maps) are maps that illustrate the lay of the land. With the use of contour lines, these maps effectively depict hills, mountains, plains, and valleys. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which publishes topographic maps, provides an explanation and history of these maps and information about the map-making process.

Features

Topo maps incorporate features such as contour lines, the magnetic north declination, roads, cities, railroads, pipelines, and fence lines, bodies of water, trees, wells, buildings, and cemeteries. These maps also include the latitude and longitude, and on most topographic series, the township and range. The more detailed series, 1:24,000 and 1:100,000 provide section numbers. The USGS details some of the features found on topographic maps.

Uses

In addition to finding out the general lay of the land and the highest and lowest spots in an area, topographic maps can be used for other purposes. Hikers and vacationers often use topos to plan their travels. Students can trace the path of a river, locate national parks, or search for particular landmarks. Genealogists often employ topographs to locate cemeteries, churches and schools.

According to the United States Geological Survey, topographic maps often are used for engineering, energy exploration, natural resource conservation, environmental management, public works design, commercial and residential planning, and outdoor activities like camping, and fishing.

Topographic maps can also help either to establish the legal description of a piece of land or to determine where a piece of property is located by means of a legal description. You can even use them to find out if there are any oil or gas wells on a particular property or to establish where certain pipelines, power lines, or railroads run.

Indexes

Topographic map indexes are separated by map series; in the Research Center the indexes are housed together in the Topographic Indexes Vertical File. An online index published by the USGS also offers the name of the map where a particular feature is found, the latitude and longitude, and even elevations and populations as they apply.

Map-Reading Tips

An index to symbols used to read topo maps is available in the Research Center on the map cabinets and duplicate indexes can be found in the 'Maps' vertical file. The USGS provides a list and description of topographic map symbols as well.

To find adjoining maps look for the names of the neighboring maps at the sides and corners of the topo map you are viewing, or look at the chart near the bottom right hand corner that lists the names of the surrounding maps.

Latitude and longitude is located at each corner of a map and at intervals along the map's borders.

Township and Range is included on the 1:24,000 series, the 1:100,000 series, and the 1:250,000 series. Look along the map borders to find these numbers. Sections are only available on the most detailed maps, the 1:24,000 and 1:100,000 series.

Depending on the scale, section numbers will either be centered in each section or only labeled in the first and last section of each township and range. Each township and range is comprised of thirty-six sections that snake back and forth left to right and right to left rather than being lined up one series of numbers under another.

Contour interval data can be found at the bottom of each map near the scale. Also, look for elevation figures within the contour lines on the map within your selected area. Periodic wider contour lines act as index lines to help determine elevations more easily. Some of the 1:500,000 state topographic maps include bathymetric lines or depth curves in bordering coastal waters.

Series Collections

The USGS publishes many series of topographic maps. A list with descriptions of those map series is available online.

Below is a list of topographic maps available on the fourth floor of the Research Center.

1:24,000 7½ minute In this series we have maps west of the Mississippi River except Minnesota. Due to space considerations, maps for Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana are housed in our storage area. The maps are all arranged alphabetically by state and then by the map quadrangle name.

1:100,000 30x60 minute We have coverage all over the United States for this series. They are arranged alphabetically by state and then by the map quadrangle name.

1:250,000 1x2 degree We own maps in this series for all of the states. They are arranged alphabetically by state and then by the map quadrangle name. A few of these maps have satellite images or photo images on the back.

State Topographic Map Series 1:500,000 (varying) We own maps in this series for all of the states and they come as topographic, shaded relief, planimetric or satellite image maps. These maps are arranged alphabetically by state and then by the map quadrangle name.

National Park Map Series (varying scales) We have coverage of selected national parks across the United States. These maps can be topographic, shaded relief, or satellite images, and sometimes include extra local park information. They are arranged alphabetically by the name of the park.

Alternate Sources

If we do not have a particular topographic map in our collection TopoZone.com lists every USGS 1:100,000, 1:63,360, 1:25,000, and 1:24,000 scale topographic map for the entire United States.

If you would prefer to order your own copy of a map, the map indexes in the RC Topographic Indexes vertical file provide ordering information and the USGS has online resources.

Ordering USGS Products

Finding and Ordering USGS Topographic Maps

Ridgway's, Inc. is a local resource for ordering a set of Oklahoma topographic maps on CDs.
7022 E 41^st Street, 663-8100