Abstract

US Topo - New Topographic Maps for California in 2012
Track: Cartography and Map Production
Authors: Drew Decker, Carol Ostergren

US Topo is the next generation of topographic maps from USGS. Arranged in the familiar 7.5-minute quadrangle format, US Topo digital maps are designed to look, feel, and perform like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS is so well known. The maps use input data from The National Map, a collection of eight nationwide digital themes, with input from local, state, and federal sources. The first year of production in 2009 included California and was done to a beta standard. California will be mapped again in 2012 and these maps will include improvements such as contours and stewarded hydrography. The maps will be available in GeoPDF format as free downloads through the online USGS Store and National Map Viewer. This is a major step forward in the evolution of the USGS topographic map and future additions and capabilities are planned.