STEP 3: Topographic Map Research

U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Maps

A topographic map will provide elevation data for topographical features of your subject property.

Go to http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/

You can then search by address, city, state, longitude, latitude by entering information in the rectangles on the left side margin.  You can also find your site by clicking on the green areas of the map to zoom in. 

For this example, we will enter “North Edwards, California for our search terms, then click the “Go” circle.

You are then redirected to the following page.

http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/advfind.aspx

On this screen, the available topographic maps and aerial photographs are listed.  You can select the image you would like to view by clicking on your choice.

Clicked on “Aerial Photo 5/28/1994” 

http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/image.aspx?t=1&s=
14&x=132&y=1211&z=11&w=1&qs=%7cNorth+Edwards%7cCA%7c 

You will have to experiment with zooming and scrolling.

Clicked on “Topo Map 7/1/1976

You will have to experiment with zooming and scrolling. 

It is helpful to print the images for your later review.

Next Step Environmental Screening