Yakima WATERS Mini Lesson
How to Read a Topographic Map
Targets and Assessment
WA Science Standards Addressed:
 Grade 6-8 APP-B: Students investigate several
professions in which an understanding of science
and technology is required. The students learn
how scientist use topographic map to navigate to
field study sites as well as understanding what a
landscape looks like without actually going there.
Lesson Parameters
Content Area: Earth Science
Overview: The lesson teaches students the concept of
topographic maps. The students will get the chance to read
a topographic map and identify some landforms. They will
also get to create their own route to get from point A to
point B based on what they see on the topographic map.
.
Grade Level: 7th grade
Suggested Time: 90 minutes
Assessments:
 Pre-test – students will be given a topographic
map of the area around Yakima. They will be
asked if they can find the elevation that Yakima.
 Post-test – students are given a test (see next
page) that asks them to identify the contour
interval, the steepest part of the map, the change
in elevation from the headwaters to confluence,
and draw the easiest route to get from point A to
point B.
Special Materials:
 Sample Topographic map
 3D map of landscape (Yakima River Basin)
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge: Students should be able to read a topographic map and identify landforms from it.
Skill: Students should be able to create a topographic map.
Science Concept Background:
Topographic maps are used to relay information about the 3D nature of a landscape on a 2D piece of paper. This is done by use
contour lines and prescribed intervals. Anything on the one contour line is the same elevation, for example if looked a topographic
map of Mt. Rainier and chose the contour line that is in the middle it would be like walking around Mt. Rainer a circle and staying at
the elevation of ~7000ft. The intervals between the contour lines differ with the scale of the made. If the interval is 50ft then if you
start at a contour line of 1200ft the next contour line equals 1250ft. Topographic maps are essential to navigating a landscape.
Hikers and other recreationalists depend on them. Scientists also use them to navigate to and from their field site. It’s important to
read a topographic map and plan our route before going out and walking somewhere because you can prevent dead-ending at cliff
faces or waterfalls and you can pick the easiest route based on elevation gain if you read the map first.
Materials:
Sample Topographic maps
Paper
Pencils
Rulers
Procedure:
Key question: What is a topographic map?
The students are given a topographic map and asked to determine the elevation loss from the headwaters of Naches River to where
it enters the Yakima River. They will need to identify the contour interval of the map.
Extension:
We also will talk about how maps are used in science as well as new technology such as GIS.
Teaching Tips:
Kids had trouble visualizing what the landscape looks like in 3D from the topographic map. Maybe showing 3D image on GIS then
transferring back to the topographic layer would help.
Supplement:
USGS 25k Topo Quads for Yakima Basin area
Post-test:
Students are given a topographic map containing steep terrain, a river and two points, A and B marked on it. Students asked to
complete the following questions.
What is the contour interval?
Where is the steepest area on the map? Outline it with colored pencil.
What is the change in elevation from the headwaters to the confluence?
What is the easiest route to get from point A to point B? Outline this on the map.
Author: Holly Eagleston, Yakima WATERS Project, CWU, Fall 2009