United States Geologic Service (USGS) Topographic Map Key (Legend)

Interpreting the colored lines, areas and other symbols is necessary in using the topographic maps.  The USGS Topographic Maps use symbols or colors to represent features, and this Topographic Map Key explains what they mean.

Contour lines are distinctive to the topographic maps but there are other features shown on the maps including buildings, water and vegetation.  In fact, there are nearly 200 features represented by unique symbols and separated into color groups.  There are five (5) color plates which were used in the film-based reproduction process. The five (5) plates include vegetation (green), water (blue), public land survey lines and densely built-up areas (red), roads and buildings (black), contours and other elevation features (brown). Although, no longer used the color (purple) found on the historical topo maps represent feature changes.

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black plate

The color black is represented in a number of features including: boundaries, buildings, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, crossings, control data, monuments, dams, piers, break waters, foreshore and offshore features, mine symbols, roads, highways, trails, railroads, drive-in theatres, oil sumps, telephone lines, pipelines and wells.

Boundaries

Civil township, town, district, precinct, barrio
Civil township, town, district, precinct, barrio

Line weight .007”. Dash .17”. Space .033”.

County, parish, municipio, judicial division
County, parish, municipio, judicial division

Line weight .01”. Dash .25” and .07”. Space .033”.

Incorporated city, village, town, borough, or hamlet
Incorporated city, village, town, borough, or hamlet

Line weight .007”. Dash .08” and .04”. Space .02”.

Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Boundary in road
Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Boundary in road

Boundary line weight .002”.

Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Cemetery
Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Cemetery

If larger than .10” square add cross and omit label. If
named show name and cross. Cross bar length 2/3 of
upright, placed 1/3 upright length from top.

Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Cemetery
Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Cemetery

Space permitting omit cross and place name or label
inside boundary.

Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Small cemetery-Topographic-Map-Quadrangle-Dillton
Miscellaneous Boundary Data - Small cemetery-Topographic-Map-Quadrangle-Dillton

Omit cross if cemetery is .10” square or less. Add label if
unnamed. Show cross and omit outline if one or two
graves. Line weight .003”. Upright length .06”. Cross bar
.04”, .02” from top.

National
National

Line weight .016”. Dash .25” and .07”. space .033”.

National or state reservation, park, or monument; very large city, county, or private park
National or state reservation, park, or monument; very large city, county, or private park

Line weight .007”. Dash .25”. Space .10”. Dot .01”.

Small park, cemetery, etc
Small park, cemetery, etc

Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”.

State or territory
State or territory

Line weight .012”. Dash .25” and .07”. Space .033”.

Bridges/Viaducts/Tunnels/Crossings

Bridge: multiple track railroad
Bridge: multiple track railroad

Same as single track except cross-tick length .05”.

Bridge over stream, road, railroad
Bridge over stream, road, railroad
Bridge: road
Bridge: road

Tick weight .003”. Wing-tick length .023”. Angle 45”.

Bridge: single track railroad
Bridge: single track railroad

Tick weight .003”. Cross-tick length .035”. Wing-tick length .023”. Angle 45º. No crossties on bridges less than .40” in length and none closer than .20” to bridge ticks.

Drawbridge: railroad
Drawbridge: railroad

Line weight .003”. Circle .045” overall.

Drawbridge: road
Drawbridge: road

Line weight .003”. Circle .045” overall.

Ferry
Ferry

Label placement for narrow water area.

Ferry
Ferry

Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Label.

Footbridge
Footbridge

Line weight .005”. Wing-tick weight .003”, length .023”. Angle 45º.

Ford: road
Ford: road

Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Overall
width same as road width. Label.

Ford: road or trail
Ford: road or trail

Label placement for narrow stream.

Ford: trail
Ford: trail

Line weight .005”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Label.

Tunnel: railroad
Tunnel: railroad

Line weight .003”. Overall width .017”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Cross-tick length .017”. Wing-tick length .023”. Angle 45º.

Tunnel: road
Tunnel: road

Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Wing-tick length .023”. Angle 45º.

Underpass, overpass
Underpass, overpass

Buildings

Building placement
Building placement

Center of symbol represents center of feature. If
adjacent to exaggerated road symbol hold displacement
to minimum.

Church
Church

.025” x .025”. Cross length .04”. Cross bar .025”,
.017” from top. Line weight .003”.

Church in congested areas
Church in congested areas

.02” x .02”. Cross length .033”. Cross bar .02”, .017”
from top. Line weight .003”.

Large buildings
Large buildings

Show solid to scale. Use for buildings greater than .05”
in longest axis.

Large school or church
Large school or church

To scale if larger than .05” in longest axis.

Miscellaneous Structures - Cliff dwelling
Miscellaneous Structures - Cliff dwelling

Line weight .003”. Rectangle .017” x .03”. Base .05”.
Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Covered reservoir
Miscellaneous Structures - Covered reservoir

Hatch SW-NE with .002” lines spaced .02” center to
center. Blue tint fill for water, omit tint for other liquids.
Outline weight .003”. Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Gaging station
Miscellaneous Structures - Gaging station

Line weight .003”. Circle .05” overall. Divide in 4 equal
sections. Label. Add (site) and station number for
former tidal gaging stations in Florida.

Miscellaneous Structures - Located or landmark object
Miscellaneous Structures - Located or landmark object

Line weight .003”. Circle .04” overall. Dot .006”.
Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Masonry swimming pool, reservoir, or fish hatchery
Miscellaneous Structures - Masonry swimming pool, reservoir, or fish hatchery

Line weight .003”. Blue tint fill for water, omit tint for
other liquids. Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Pumping station
Miscellaneous Structures - Pumping station

Show to scale. Minimum size .02” x .02”. Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Ruins
Miscellaneous Structures - Ruins

Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Decrease
length of dash and space if less than .10” x .10”. Use
solid outline if less than .05” x .05”. Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Sewage disposal or filtration plant
Miscellaneous Structures - Sewage disposal or filtration plant

Line weight .003”.
Label.

Miscellaneous Structures - Snowshed
Miscellaneous Structures - Snowshed

Width same as crosstie.

Miscellaneous Structures - Tanks: oil, gas, water, etc
Miscellaneous Structures - Tanks: oil, gas, water, etc

Circle .03” minimum. Label water tanks only. Show
solid to scale.

Miscellaneous Structures - Windmill
Miscellaneous Structures - Windmill

Line weight .003”. Triangle .05” in height, angles 30º,
75º, 75º. Arms .045”, angles 70º and 110º. Center
cross on feature. Label generator only.

School
School

.025” x .025”. Flagpole length .04”, weight .003”.
Flag .02” x .03”.

School, college, etc
School, college, etc

When more than one building, show flag on
administration building if known, if not known show on
most prominent building.

School in congested areas
School in congested areas

.02” x .02”. Flagpole length .033”, weight .003”. Flag
.017” x .025”.

School or church placement
School or church placement

Flag or cross to clear other culture.

Small buildings
Small buildings

Show solid 02” x .02”. Use for buildings less than .05”
in longest axis.

Small buildings in congested areas
Small buildings in congested areas

Minimum .017” x .017”.

Control Data-Monuments

Bench mark coincident with found section corner
Bench mark coincident with found section corner

Show section corner on red plate.

Boundary monument with number and elevation
Boundary monument with number and elevation
Boundary monument without tablet, with or without geodetic position, elev. third order or better. Grant monument on red
Boundary monument without tablet, with or without geodetic position, elev. third order or better. Grant monument on red
Boundary monument with tablet, with or without geodetic position, elev. third order or better. Grant monument on red
Boundary monument with tablet, with or without geodetic position, elev. third order or better. Grant monument on red

Line weight .003”. Sides .04”. Dot .006”.

Horizontal control station, checked spot elevation
Horizontal control station, checked spot elevation
Horizontal control station coincident with section corner
Horizontal control station coincident with section corner

Show triangle. Omit corner. Space .033”.

Horizontal control station, elevation third order or better
Horizontal control station, elevation third order or better
Horizontal control station, third order or better, permanent mark
Horizontal control station, third order or better, permanent mark

Line weight .003”. Sides of triangle .07”. Dot .006”.

Horizontal control station, vertical angle elevation
Horizontal control station, vertical angle elevation
Other control points. Object may or may not have geodetic position
Other control points. Object may or may not have geodetic position
Reference monument
Reference monument

Line weight .003”. Sides .04”. Dot .006”.

Spot elevation
Spot elevation

Line weight .002”. Length .06”. Angles 90º.

U.S. mineral or location monument
U.S. mineral or location monument

Base .06”. Height at center .04”.

Vertical control station marked with tablet, elev. third order or better
Vertical control station marked with tablet, elev. third order or better

Line weight .003”. Length .08”. Angle 90º.

Vertical station, recoverable mark-no tablet, elev. third order or better
Vertical station, recoverable mark-no tablet, elev. third order or better

Dams/Piers/Breakwaters etc.

Breakwater, jetty, pier, wharf
Breakwater, jetty, pier, wharf

Not exceeding .02” in width. Line weight .007”. Tint
and shoreline not broken.

Breakwater, pier, wharf, causeway
Breakwater, pier, wharf, causeway

Exceeding .02” in width. Show to scale. Line weight .003”. If it carries road use proper road symbol. Break tint and shoreline.

Canal lock gate, double line stream
Canal lock gate, double line stream

Line weight .007”. Tick to project .02” beyond canal. Angles 45º. Label.

Canal lock or sluice gate
Canal lock or sluice gate

Line weight .007”. Tick length .023”. Angles 45º. Point upstream. Label.

Covered pier or wharf
Covered pier or wharf

Break tint and shoreline.

 Dam carrying road
Dam carrying road

Increase weight of road casing by .004”. Break tint.

Dam with lock
Dam with lock

Weight of dam line .012”, lock .003”. Lock .075” x .033”. Angles 45º. Point upstream. Show to scale if larger than symbol.

Drydock
Drydock

Line weight .003”. Tick weight .007”, length .023”.
Angles 45º. Break shoreline, fill with blue tint. Label.

Large masonry dam
Large masonry dam

Line weight .012”. If width of dam exceeds .02” show dam outline to scale and fill with radiating lines. Dam line weight .007”, other lines .003”. Drop contours at black dam line.

Seawall
Seawall

Line weight .007”. Break shoreline. Label.

Small masonry dam
Small masonry dam

Line weight .012”. Line weight .007” for dam less than .20” in length.

Foreshore-Offshore Features

Area limits
Area limits

Line weight .003”. Dash .10”. Space .02”. Label.

Danger curve
Danger curve

Line weight .002”. Dash .015”. Space .01”. Label.

Exposed wreck
Exposed wreck

Line weight .003”. Base .12” overall. Circle .025”.
Angle lines .10” and .037”. Cross .05” x .03”.
USGS 24.

Exposed wreckage or foul ground
Exposed wreckage or foul ground

Outline dots .008”. Space .017”. Label.

Foreshore flat
Foreshore flat

USGS 17. Label sand, gravel, mud, etc. If unknown
label Tidal Flat.

Group of rocks bare or awash
Group of rocks bare or awash

Line weight .003”. Length .05”. Angles 60º with outline dots .008”, spaced .017”.

Masts exposed on sunken wreck.
Masts exposed on sunken wreck.

Line weight .003”. Length .08”. Cross ticks .033” and
.05”. Space .017”. Dots .008”. Space .017”. Label.
USGS 24.

Pile, dolphin, stump, or snag
Pile, dolphin, stump, or snag

Line weight .003”. Circle .033” overall. Label. Use
outline and label when too congested. Dots .008”.
Space .017”.

Rock bare or awash
Rock bare or awash

Line weight .003”. Length .05”. Angles 60º.

Rock bare or awash dangerous to navigation
Rock bare or awash dangerous to navigation

Length .05”. Angles 60º. Dots .008”. Space .017”.

Rock or coral reef
Rock or coral reef

Limits as shown. Fill USGS 17. Label.

Shoal
Shoal

Where depth curves do not show extent of shoal area
use outline. Dots .008”. Space .017”. Label.

Small rock or coral reef
Small rock or coral reef

USGS 17. Label.

Sunken rock
Sunken rock

Line weight .003”. Length .05”. Angle 90º. USGS 24.

Sunken wreck
Sunken wreck

Line weight .003”. Length .08”. Cross ticks .033” and
.05”. Space .017”. USGS 24.

Mine Symbols

Gravel, sand, clay, or borrow pit
Gravel, sand, clay, or borrow pit

Line weight .003”. Length overall .08”. Arcs .04”.
Triangles .025” x .025” x .03”. Label. If opening is
larger than symbol and not adequately shown by
contours add hachure outline on brown

Mine shaft
Mine shaft

Line weight .003”. Square .04” x .04”.

Mine tunnel entrance or cave
Mine tunnel entrance or cave

Line weight .003”. Arm length .033”, shaft .067”.
Angle 90º. Place intersection of arms at portal with
shaft pointing up slope. Orient shaft perpendicular to
the contours. Label.

Open pit mine or quarry
Open pit mine or quarry
Prospect
Prospect

Line weight .003”. Length .067”. Angles 60º and
120º.

Miscellaneous

Boardwalk
Boardwalk

Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight
.033”. Label.

Campground
Campground

Line weight .005”. Base .04”. Overall height .08”.
Label.

Coke ovens
Coke ovens

Overall width .02”. Casing line weight .003”. Fill dash
.03”, space .02”. Label.

Corral
Corral

Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”. Label.

Drive-in theater
Drive-in theater

Outline area with Line weight .003”. Dash .04”. Space .02”.. Show structures. Label as Drive-in Theater. Screen line weight .007”.

Oil sump or sludge pit
Oil sump or sludge pit

Line weight .003” for outline if constructed of materials
other than earth. If earth use dots .008”. Space .017”.
Fill with sand, dry lake symbology. Label as Oil Sumps

Open oil reservoir
Open oil reservoir

Outline weight .003”. Fill dots .006”, spaced .014”
center to center. Label as Oil Reservoir.

Picnic area
Picnic area

Line weight .005”. Top length .05”. Leg length .025”.
Leg angle 60º from top. Label as Picnic Area

Other Culture Symbols

Gas or oil pipeline aboveground
Gas or oil pipeline aboveground

Line weight .005”. Label as Aboveground Pipeline.

Gas or oil pipeline underground
Gas or oil pipeline underground

Line weight .005”. Dash .10”. Space .02”. Label as Pipeline.

Landmark lines: ski lift, incline railway, tramway, etc
Landmark lines: ski lift, incline railway, tramway, etc

Line weight .005”. Dash .10”. Space .02”. Label ski lift, incline railway, tramway, etc.

Power transmission line
Power transmission line

Line weight .003”. Dash .033”. Space .017”. Dot
.017”. Dots placed at angle points.

Prominent wall
Prominent wall

Show to scale. Show outline if width exceeds .017”.
Line weight .003”. Label as Wall.

Telephone line
Telephone line

Line weight .005”. Dash .10”. Space .02”. Label as Telephone.

Wall
Wall

Line weight .007”. Wall not exceeding .017”. Label as Wall.

Wells (excluding water)
Wells (excluding water)

Line weight .003”. Circle .033” overall. Label as Well.

Railroads

Miscellaneous - Carline
Miscellaneous - Carline

Line weight .005”. Tie weight .003”, length .04”, spaced .10” center to center. Not shown in urban areas or in streets or roads.

Miscellaneous - Dismantled railroad or carline
Miscellaneous - Dismantled railroad or carline

Line weight .005”. Dash .05”. Space .02”. Show if
landmark feature or used as trail. Label Old Railroad Grade.

Miscellaneous - Roundhouse and turntable
Miscellaneous - Roundhouse and turntable

Line weight .003”. Show to scale. Minimum circle .06” overall. 

Miscellaneous - Station
Miscellaneous - Station

.02” x .04”. Use symbol when no siding, building, or other identifying feature.

Miscellaneous - Turntable
Miscellaneous - Turntable

Line weight .003”. Show to scale. Minimum circle .06” overall. Cross line at 45º angle.

Narrow Gauge - Multiple Track
Narrow Gauge - Multiple Track

Line weight .005”. Tie weight .003”, length .02”, spaced .20” center to center of double tie. Double tie .02” overall width.

Narrow Gauge - Single Track
Narrow Gauge - Single Track

Line weight .005”. Tie weight .003”, length .02”, spaced .20” center to center.

U. S. Standard Gauge - Juxtaposition
U. S. Standard Gauge - Juxtaposition

Alternate ties, spaced .20” center to center. Minimum space between tracks .011”. Line weight for single tracks .005”, multiple tracks .003”

U. S. Standard Gauge - Multiple main line track
U. S. Standard Gauge - Multiple main line track

Overall width .017”. Line weight .003”. Tie length .052”, spaced .20” center to center. If more than two tracks label, with double crosstie at point of change. Double crosstie .017” overall width.

U. S. Standard Gauge - Railroad in street
U. S. Standard Gauge - Railroad in street

Ties spaced .20” center to center. Label if narrow gauge. Tie weight .003”.

U. S. Standard Gauge - Sidings
U. S. Standard Gauge - Sidings

Line weight .003”. Scribe to scale with minimum space between tracks .011”. Ties spaced .20” center to center, length .04” for single track.

U. S. Standard Gauge - Single track-Topographic-Map-Quadrangle-
U. S. Standard Gauge - Single track-Topographic-Map-Quadrangle-

Line weight .005”. Tie weight .003”, length .04”, spaced .20” center

U. S. Standard Gauge - Yards
U. S. Standard Gauge - Yards

Line weight .003”. Space between tracks .011”. Ties spaced .20” center to center, maximum length to touch 6 tracks.

 

Roads, Highways and related features

Class 1—Primary highway, hard surface, two or three lanes
Class 1—Primary highway, hard surface, two or three lanes

Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight .003”. See symbol 513 for red fill. Label if 3 lanes.

Cloverleaf
Cloverleaf

Minimum overall width .10”. Show to scale if size exceeds symbol.

Dead end road
Dead end road

Use only when there may be a question as to whether road ends.

Dual highway, overall width 100’ or less
Dual highway, overall width 100’ or less

Overall width to scale with minimum .037”. Line weight .003”

Dual highway, overall width over 100’
Dual highway, overall width over 100’

Treat each side as individual road. Width of dividing strip (space) to scale.

Light duty, hard or improved
Light duty, hard or improved

Overall width .02”. Line weight .003”

Primary highway, hard surface, four or more lanes
Primary highway, hard surface, four or more lanes

Class 1 road. Line weight to fit road casing. Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight .003”

Private road
Private road

Show if 500’ or more in length. Classify according to construction. Label only when necessary to clarify as to availability for public use.

Secondary highway, hard surface, four or more lanes.
Secondary highway, hard surface, four or more lanes.

Class 2 road. Line weight to fit road casing. Dash .12”. Space .12”. Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight .003”.

Secondary highway, hard surface, two or three lanes
Secondary highway, hard surface, two or three lanes

Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight .003”. Line weight to fit road casing. Dash .12”. Space .12”. for red fill. Label if 3 lanes.

Streets in urban areas
Streets in urban areas

Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight .003”

Toll road—Tollgate
Toll road—Tollgate

Tick line weight .007”. Tick to project .02” beyond road casing. Label.

Traffic circle
Traffic circle

Road width of circle that of widest road entering circle. Show to scale if size exceeds symbol. Minimum space in circle .04”.

Trails: important foot, bridle, pack, marked, and named
Trails: important foot, bridle, pack, marked, and named

Line weight .005”. Dash .05”. Space .02”. Label when necessary to clarify. When used primarily for fourwheel-drive vehicles, label, “4WD”.

Under construction-Classification known (Class 1 and 2 only)
Under construction-Classification known (Class 1 and 2 only)

Overall width to scale with minimum .02”. Line weight .003”. Dash .10”. Space .02”. Red fill consistent with road classification. Label Under Construction

Unimproved dirt
Unimproved dirt

Overall width .02”. Line weight .003”. Dash .05”. Space .02”.

blue plate

Areas on topographic maps in blue represent water including aqueducts, canals, streams, lakes, ponds and other hydrographic features.

Canals/Aqueducts

Aqueduct tunnel
Aqueduct tunnel

Line weight .003”. Overall width .017”. Dash .04”.
Space .02”. Cross-tick length .017”. Wing-tick length
.023”. Angle 45º.

Canal, flume, aqueduct
Canal, flume, aqueduct

Line weight .005”. Width exceeding 50’ at 24 000.
Blue tint fill. Label flumes and aqueducts.

Canal, flume, aqueduct, or perennial ditch
Canal, flume, aqueduct, or perennial ditch

Line weight .005”. Width not exceeding 50’ at
24 000. Label flumes and aqueducts.

Elevated aqueduct, conduit, flume
Elevated aqueduct, conduit, flume

Tick weight .003”. Length .023”. Angle 45º. Label
ELEVATED when long.

Intermittent canal
Intermittent canal

Line weight .005”. Dash .17”. Space .12”. Dots .008”.

Intermittent ditch
Intermittent ditch

Line weight .005”. Dash .17”. Space .12”. Dots .008”.

Navigable canal
Navigable canal

Label NAVIGABLE CANAL when
necessary to clarify.

Underground flume, penstock, aqueduct, or similar feature
Underground flume, penstock, aqueduct, or similar feature

Line weight .005”. Dash .05”. Space .02”. Label.

Lakes/Ponds

Dry lake or pond
Dry lake or pond

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Indefinite or unsurveyed shoreline
Indefinite or unsurveyed shoreline

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”. Blue tint fill.

Intermittent lake or pond
Intermittent lake or pond

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Perennial lake or pond
Perennial lake or pond

Line weight .005”. Blue tint fill 13%, 120-line at 105º.

Perennial salt lake or pond
Perennial salt lake or pond

Line weight .005”. Blue tint fill. Label.

Reservoir natural shoreline
Reservoir natural shoreline

Line weight .005”. Blue tint fill. Label Reservoir.

Miscellaneous

Approximate mean low water line
Approximate mean low water line

Line weight .002”. Dash .015”. Space .01”. Break tint at low water line.

Channel in water area
Channel in water area

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Cranberry bog
Cranberry bog

Line weight .005”. Label.

Depth curve
Depth curve

Line weight .003”.

Dry lake or pond
Dry lake or pond

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Evaporator
Evaporator

Line weight .005”. Show major separations. Label as Evaporator.

Glacial crevasses
Glacial crevasses

Line weight .002” to .007”. Line to show extent and
alignment of crevasse. Label as Crevasses.

Glacier approximate contours
Glacier approximate contours

Outline weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”. Contour
line weights .007” and .002”. Length .12” to .20”.
Space .02”.

Glacier or permanent snow field
Glacier or permanent snow field

Outline weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”. Contour
line weights .007” and .002”.

Glacier or permanent snow field
Glacier or permanent snow field

Use form lines when data for contouring is weak or
unavailable. Line weight .002”. Length .04” to .20”. Outline weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”

Indefinite shoreline
Indefinite shoreline

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Land subject to inundation
Land subject to inundation

Show outline if it is mapped or can be determined. Line
weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Large falls
Large falls

Line weight .003”. Length .033”. Space .017”.

Large rapids
Large rapids

Line weight .003”. Length .02” to .04”. Space .017”
to .033”.

Mangrove
Mangrove

Green tint overprint.

Marsh or swamp
Marsh or swamp

Standard marsh pattern and fill

Permanent channel in wash
Permanent channel in wash

Show perennial or intermittent as appropriate.

Salt flat
Salt flat

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”. Label as Salt Flat

Shoreline
Shoreline

Line weight .005”.

Show stream in marsh or swamp when channel exists
Show stream in marsh or swamp when channel exists
Siphon
Siphon

Line weight .005”. Dash .05”. Space .02”. Label as
Siphon. Omit dashes unless two or more can be
shown. Use wing ticks if necessary to clarify.

Small falls
Small falls

Tick weight .007”. Length .05”. Label as small falls.

Small rapids
Small rapids

Line weight .005”. Length .05”. Space .03”. Label as Rapids.

Soundings
Soundings
Spring
Spring

Line weight .003”. Circle .033”. Tail length .08”.
Label as Spring.

Submerged marsh or swamp
Submerged marsh or swamp

Standard marsh pattern and fill with blue tint overprint. Shoreline weight .005”.

Water area
Water area

Use in open-water areas when no blue tint plate. Dots
.006”, spaced .014” center to center. Blue tint fill
13%, 120-line at 105º.

Water surface elevations
Water surface elevations

Show in black if soundings on same map.

Water well
Water well

Line weight .003”. Circle .033”. Label as Well.

Wooded marsh or swamp
Wooded marsh or swamp

Standard marsh pattern and fill with green tint overprint.

Streams

Braided stream
Braided stream

Line weight .005”. Maintain pattern as compiled.

Intermittent stream
Intermittent stream

Line weight .005”. Dash .17”. Space between dashes
.12”. Dots .008”. Width exceeding 50’ at 24,000 scale.

Intermittent stream
Intermittent stream

Line weight .005”. Dash .17”. Space between dashes
.12”. Dots .008”. Taper at source. Width not
exceeding 50’ at 24,000 scale.

Perennial stream
Perennial stream

Line weight .005”. Taper at source. Width not
exceeding 50’ at 24,000 scale.

Perennial stream
Perennial stream

Line weight .005”. Width exceeding 50’ at 24,000 scale.
Add arrow when direction of flow is not apparent.

Stream disappearing at a definite point
Stream disappearing at a definite point

Line weight .005”. Length of Y .04”. Angle 90º.

Unsurveyed perennial stream
Unsurveyed perennial stream

Line weight .005”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Wash
Wash

Line weight .005”. Dash .17”. Space between dashes
.12”. Dots .008”. Taper at source. Width not
exceeding 50’ at 24,000 scale.

Water

Canal or stream
Canal or stream
Covered reservoir (water)
Covered reservoir (water)
Intermittent lake or pond, or area to be submerged
Intermittent lake or pond, or area to be submerged
Land subject to inundation
Land subject to inundation

Land subject to inundation, tailings pond. Dashes East to West. Use for areas normally dry but subject to occasional or periodic flooding.

Masonry swimming pool, reservoir, or fish hatchery
Masonry swimming pool, reservoir, or fish hatchery

Blue tint

Sewage disposal or filtration plant
Sewage disposal or filtration plant

Hatching Northwest to Southeast.

Submerged marsh or swamp
Submerged marsh or swamp

Blue tint.

Water area
Water area

Blue tint.

brown plate

Contour lines as well as surface features are presented in brown.  Examples of surface features include areas of sand, mud, a tailings pond or gravel beach.

Contours

Adjacent depression contours
Adjacent depression contours

Tick weight .002”. Length .02”. Space .04” on lowest
contour. Increase space to .08”, .12” on succeeding
contours. .12” space on all others.

Approximate index contour
Approximate index contour

Line weight .007”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Approximate intermediate contour
Approximate intermediate contour

Line weight .002”. Dash .07”. Space .02”.

Carrying contour
Carrying contour

Line weight .007”, .002”. At cliffs, embankments, and
like features where contours merge into one, line
weight to agree with contours superimposed.

Contouring at ditches and canals
Contouring at ditches and canals

Contours at low gradient ditches are shown to each
side of ditch, turned upstream .08” and dropped. All
other canals and ditches are fully contoured within
limits of map scale.

Cut
Cut

Plot contours in correct position. Space from road,
railroad (line), etc. .005”.

Depression contour
Depression contour

Tick weight .002”. Length .02”. Space .12”. Spacing
to be decreased for small depression.

Feathering-out treatment
Feathering-out treatment

Drop only intermediate contours. Feather ends. Space
remaining contours evenly. Space between contours
not less than .005”.

Index contour
Index contour

Line weight .007”.

Intermediate contour
Intermediate contour

Line weight .003”.

Large earth dam or levee
Large earth dam or levee

Show with contours when exaggeration is not
necessary. Show masonry portion, if any, in black.
Drop contours at black.

Supplementary contour
Supplementary contour

Line weight .005”. 30% biangle screen.

Supplementary depression contours
Supplementary depression contours

Miscellaneous

Areal strip mine
Areal strip mine

Intricate surface area

Contouring at levees
Contouring at levees

Drop contours at levee. Hachures .02” in length, spaced .017” center to center. Line weight .002”

Fill: road or railroad
Fill: road or railroad

Plot contours in correct position. Space from road,
railroad (line), etc. .005”. Tick weight .002”. Length
.02”. Space between ticks .05”.

Glacial moraine
Glacial moraine
Gravel beach
Gravel beach
Intricate surface area
Intricate surface area

Intricate surface area

Large open pit mine or quarry— gravel, sand, clay, or borrow pit
Large open pit mine or quarry— gravel, sand, clay, or borrow pit

Hachure line weight .002”. Label as Mine.

Levee
Levee

Use when levee is too small to be shown with
contours. Hachures .02” in length, spaced .017”
center to center. Line weight .002”.

Levee with road--levee with railroad
Levee with road--levee with railroad

Hachures .012” in length, spaced .017” center to
center. Line weight .002”. Hachures may touch road
and ties.

Linear strip mine
Linear strip mine

Intricate surface area. Label as Strip Mine

Mine dump
Mine dump

Line weight .002”.

Sand area, mud
Sand area, mud

Use standard sand and, dry lake pattern and fill. Use in areas covering ¼ square mile at 24 000 scale. Label as mud.

Sand, etc. in open water area
Sand, etc. in open water area

Use standard sand and, dry lake pattern and fill. Label sand, gravel, mud, etc. Use in areas other than tidal waters.

Shifting sand or dune area
Shifting sand or dune area

Use standard sand and, dry lake pattern and fill. Label as Sand Dunes.

Spoil bank
Spoil bank
Tailings
Tailings

Maintain pattern as compiled.

Tailings pond
Tailings pond

Land subject to inundation, tailings pond. Dashes to run East to West. Use outline when no limiting contour. Dash .07”. Space .02”. Line weight .003”. Label as Tailings Pond.

Wash
Wash

Exceeding 50’ at 24 000 scale. Use sand, dry lake standard pattern and fill.

green plate

Areas colored in green represent vegetation features, i.e. mangrove, shrubland, woodland, etc.

Vegetation

Mangrove
Mangrove

Green tint.

Orchard
Orchard

Orchard standard pattern and fill

Scrub
Scrub

Scrub standard pattern and fill

Vineyard
Vineyard

Vineyard standard pattern and fill

Wooded marsh or swamp
Wooded marsh or swamp

Green tint.

Woods, brushwood
Woods, brushwood

Green tint 40%, 120-line at 75º.

red plate

Red is shown for land grids and important roads.  Examples include boundaries, section, township and range lines, as well as respresenting urban areas.

Boundaries

 Boundary enhanced
Boundary enhanced

Enhancement width for exterior boundaries of Federal lands .10”. Enhancement width for interior Federal lands boundaries .05”. Center tint on interior boundaries.

Miscellaneous

Fence line
Fence line

Line weight .002”. Dash .10”. Space .02”.

Urban area
Urban area

Make separate plate. Fill 13%, 120-line at 105º.

Other Land Surveys

Closing corner
Closing corner
Section corner
Section corner
Section line
Section line

Dots .006”, spaced .018” center to center. Dotted land lines as standard pattern and fill

Township or range line
Township or range line

Dots .012”, spaced .024” center to center. Dotted land lines as standard pattern and fill.

Road Data

Change in number of lanes
Change in number of lanes

Line weight .005”. Length .07”. Tick at right angle to
road. Label if more than 2 lanes.

Class 1 road
Class 1 road

Line weight to fit road casing.

Class 1 road
Class 1 road

Line weight to fit road casing.

Class 2 road
Class 2 road

Line weight to fit road casing. Dash .12”. Space .12”.

Class 2 road
Class 2 road

Line weight to fit road casing. Dash .12”. Space .12”.

Direction or destination arrow
Direction or destination arrow

Highway direction arrows

Route markers
Route markers

US and interstate highway markers, State highway markers and miscellaneous highway markers and numbers 1 to 1000.

United States Land Surveys

Closing corner: found-indicated
Closing corner: found-indicated

Line weight .01”-.005”. Length .06”. Space .033”.

 

Land grant monument with or without geodetic position
Land grant monument with or without geodetic position

Line weight .003”. Sides .04”. Dot .006”. When on
boundary line orient with line.

Land grant or mining claim
Land grant or mining claim

Line weight .005”. Dash .25”. Dot .008”. Space
between dashes .10”. Show complete when coincident
with single line stream. Show in road only if needed to
clarify. If road carries red fill, label and omit boundary.

Section corner: found-indicated
Section corner: found-indicated

Line weight .01”-.005”. Length .06”. Space .033”.

Section line
Section line

Line weight .005”.

Section line: location doubtful
Section line: location doubtful

Line weight .005”. Dash .10. Space .02”.

Township or range line
Township or range line

Line weight .01”.

Township or range line: location doubtful
Township or range line: location doubtful

Line weight .01”. Dash .10”. space .02”.

Witness corner-meander corner
Witness corner-meander corner

Line weight .01”. Length .06”. Space .033”.
Label as WC or MC.

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