Topographic Map Reading Practice Worksheet Name Date Period Use ... - Free Printable

Let's solve each question step by step using the topographic map provided. We'll use the contour interval of 50 feet, and remember that:

- Contour lines show elevation.
- Closely spaced contours = steep slope.
- Widely spaced contours = gentle slope.
- Water flows downhill, from higher to lower elevation.
- Contour lines bend around hills or valleys; they form V-shapes pointing upstream (uphill) in valleys.
- Gray areas are water bodies.

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1. Is the creek flowing into or out of Pikitigushi Lake?

Look at the creek near the top of the map, just south of Pikitigushi Lake. The contour lines indicate that the land slopes downward toward the lake — the creek is coming from higher elevation (northwest) and flows into the lake.

✔ Answer: Into
*Explanation:* Water flows from high to low elevation. The creek starts at a higher elevation and flows down into the lake.

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2. You are standing at point A. What is your height above sea level?

We are told:
- Contour interval = 50 feet
- There’s a 1000-foot contour line to the east of point A
- Point A is inside a closed contour line

Now look at the pattern:
- The 1000-ft contour is on the east side.
- Moving west, the next contour line is 950 ft, then 900 ft, etc.
- But wait — point A is within a closed loop that is higher than 1000 ft?

Wait! Actually, the labeled contour to the east is 1000, and moving west, the numbers go 86 to 88, but we're told to disregard numbers 86 to 88 — so those aren’t elevations.

So let's focus on the contour lines themselves.

From the east:
- The 1000-ft contour is visible.
- Going west, the next contour is 950 ft, then 900 ft, etc.

Point A is located between two contours:
- It's inside a closed contour that is lower than 1000 ft, but higher than the one below it.

But look carefully: the contour immediately surrounding point A appears to be 950 ft, and it's a closed loop — meaning it's a hill.

So, since the 1000-ft contour is to the east, and the next one inward is 950 ft, then the contour around A must be 950 ft, and since A is inside it, it's above 950 ft.

But we need more detail.

Actually, the 1000-ft contour is on the east edge of the map. Moving west, the next contour is 950 ft, then 900 ft, etc.

But point A is on a contour line — specifically, it lies on a closed contour that is between 950 and 1000?

Wait — no. Let's re-express this.

Looking at the map:
- The 1000-ft contour is on the right edge.
- Moving left, the next contour is 950 ft, then 900 ft, etc.
- Point A is on a closed contour that is just west of the 950-ft line.

But actually, the label "88" is near the top-left, but we’re told to disregard 86–88 — so ignore those.

So the only labeled number is 1000 on the east.

Now, the contours get closer together near the lake and point A.

But here's the key: point A is on a contour line that is closer to the 1000-ft contour than to the 950-ft one?

No — actually, the 1000-ft contour is on the east, and as you move west, the values decrease.

So:
- Eastmost contour: 1000 ft
- Next contour west: 950 ft
- Then: 900 ft, etc.

But point A is inland, not near the 1000-ft line.

Wait — there’s a closed contour around point A. That suggests it’s a hilltop.

And the next contour outside it is 950 ft, so if the contour around A is 950 ft, then A is at or above 950 ft.

But we can do better.

Look at the elevation labels: the only one clearly marked is 1000 ft on the far east.

But notice: the contour lines are numbered — like “86”, “87”, “88” — but we’re told to disregard 86–88.

That means those are not elevations, but possibly grid references or something else.

So the only real elevation label is 1000 ft.

Now, since the contour interval is 50 ft, and the 1000-ft contour is on the east, then moving west:
- The next contour is 950 ft
- Then 900 ft
- Then 850 ft, etc.

Point A is located between the 950-ft and 900-ft contours, and it's inside a closed loop.

But which one?

Actually, looking closely: the closed contour around point A is between the 950-ft and 900-ft lines?

No — wait. The 1000-ft contour is on the east, and the contours curve inward toward the center.

But point A is on a contour line that is higher than 950 ft, but lower than 1000 ft?

No — the 1000-ft contour is the outermost on the east.

Wait — the 1000-ft contour is on the right edge, and the land slopes inward.

So the next contour west is 950 ft, then 900 ft, etc.

But point A is surrounded by a closed contour that is lower than 950 ft?

Wait — actually, the contour lines are drawn such that the ones near the lake are at lower elevations.

But here's a better approach:

The 1000-ft contour is on the east side of the map.

As you move west, the elevation decreases.

So:
- 1000 ft → 950 ft → 900 ft → 850 ft → ...

Point A is located on a contour line that is two intervals west of the 1000-ft line?

Wait — no.

Let’s count the contours between the 1000-ft line and point A.

From the 1000-ft contour (east), moving west:
- First contour: 950 ft
- Second contour: 900 ft
- Third contour: 850 ft

But point A is inside a closed loop that is around the 900-ft contour?

Wait — actually, the closed contour around A is the 950-ft line, and A is on it.

But the 1000-ft contour is to the east, and the 950-ft contour is to the west of it.

So the 950-ft contour is lower than 1000 ft.

Therefore, point A is on the 950-ft contour.

But is it exactly 950 ft?

Yes — because it's on the contour line.

But wait — the hint says: *Notice the 1000-foot contour to the east and the contour interval.*

So the 1000-ft contour is to the east.

Then the next contour west is 950 ft, then 900 ft, etc.

Point A is on a contour line that is one interval west of 1000 ft — so 950 ft.

✔ Answer: 950 feet

*Explanation:* The 1000-ft contour is to the east. The contour interval is 50 ft, so the next contour west is 950 ft. Point A lies on that contour line.

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3. You are standing at point B, looking towards Pikitigushi Lake. Describe the relief or topography of the land between you and the lake.

Point B is a hilltop — it's an interior closed contour.

Pikitigushi Lake is to the north of B.

Between B and the lake, the contour lines are closely spaced and bend toward the lake, indicating a steep slope.

Also, the contours form a V-shape pointing toward B, which means the slope is descending toward the lake.

So the land between B and the lake is a steep slope descending from the hilltop at B down to the lake.

✔ Answer: The land slopes steeply downward from point B to the lake. The closely spaced contour lines indicate a steep gradient, and the terrain is a hillside descending toward the lake.

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4. You are walking south, from B to C. Are you gaining elevation, losing elevation, or remaining level?

Point B is a hilltop (closed contour).

Point C is south of B, and the contour lines show that as you move south, you are going from higher to lower elevations.

The contour lines are spaced apart, but the elevation decreases.

So you are losing elevation.

✔ Answer: Losing elevation

*Explanation:* As you walk from B to C, you are moving from a high point (B) down to a lower area (C). The contour lines show a gradual descent.

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5. A creek joins Lake E from the west. Does that creek flow into or out of Lake E?

Lake E is shown in the southern part of the map.

A creek comes from the west and meets Lake E.

To determine direction of flow, look at the contour lines around the creek.

If the contour lines bend toward the creek, that means the valley is lower — so water flows down the valley.

In this case, the contours bend upstream (i.e., the V points away from the lake), so the creek is flowing from the west into the lake.

✔ Answer: Into

*Explanation:* Water flows from higher to lower elevation. The creek originates at higher elevation (west) and flows downhill into Lake E.

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6. You walk from B to D. Are you going up a steep hill, going down a gully, or going up a gully?

Point B is a hilltop.

Point D is to the southeast of B.

Looking at the contour lines:
- From B to D, the contours curve around, forming a V-shape that points toward B.
- This indicates a valley or gully running from D to B.

So if you walk from B to D, you are going down into a gully.

Also, the contours are close together along this path, indicating a steep slope.

So you are going down a steep gully.

✔ Answer: Going down a gully

*Explanation:* The contour lines form a V pointing toward B, indicating a valley. Since you are moving from B (high) to D (low), you are descending into a gully. The close spacing indicates a steep slope.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Into
2. 950 feet
3. The land slopes steeply downward from point B to the lake, with closely spaced contour lines indicating a steep hillside descending toward the lake.
4. Losing elevation
5. Into
6. Going down a gully

Let me know if you'd like a visual explanation or sketch!