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Topographic maps (informally known as "topos") render the three-dimensional ups and downs of the terrain on a two-dimensional surface, through the use of contour lines to portray the shape and elevation of the land. Topographic maps usually portray both natural features (such as mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, and vegetation) and manmade features (such as roads, boundaries, transmission lines, and major buildings). (Adapted from the USGS Topographic Mapping page, "What is a topographic map?")
Topographic maps form a large part of the Map Collection, because they generally offer the most detailed and accurate mapping available for most nations and regions of the world.
The Map Collection's goal is to cover the whole world at 1:200,000 or 1:250,000. Within the United States, coverage is available at scales of:
The Map Collection has the most recent topos available for the United States, and keeps all superceded (older) topos of Washington State as well. Superseded Washington State topos, including historic 15 and 30 minute topos, are filed with the historic maps. We do have some older topos of other states as well, which are also filed with the historic maps.
The best way to find a topographic map for your area of interest is to come in to the Map Collection.
If you are not able to come in to the collection but know the names of the sheets you need, find out whether or not those sheets are available by going to our Tips for Searching the Catalog to search the UW Library Catalog. If those sheets are available, you may be able to borrow them via interlibrary loan through UWorld Express.
If you are not able to come in to the collection and do not know the names of the sheets you need, a few series have online versions of index maps -- see Frequently Used Resources for details.
Once you find what you are looking for, please write down the call number and the location. The catalog shows that topographic maps can be found in the following Map Collection locations -- consult the floor plan of the Map Collection:
The following areas are located in areas accessible only by library staff. Please ask Map Collection staff to retrieve these items for you:
Yes, most topographic maps published in 1960 or later do circulate. However, any maps filed in the historic cases do not circulate, even superceded topos published recently. Review our policies under Checking Out and Handling Materials for details.
Our list of Topographic Map Sets will direct you to one or several series that cover your country of interest.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) current topographic mapping
To find topographic maps in the UW Library Catalog, go to our Tips
for Searching the Catalog. The following sets are available for
the United States (most current edition only):
TopoZone
This site provides topographic maps for the entire United States at
three scales: 1:24,000/25,000; 1:100,000; and 1:250,000. It also has
United States orthophotomaps and aerial photography. You can locate
any place (natural feature, manmade structure or community) in the U.S.
by placename; state and/or county; street address; township, range and
section; Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Coordinates; or latitude
and longitude. Once you have located your area of interest, TopoZone
will indicate the name of the sheet you are looking at, so you can also
use it as an informal index map.
TopoUSA
Maps Media G3701.C2 1999 D4
This set of 6 CDs from the DeLorme Mapping Co. provides topographic
maps for the entire United States. You can locate any place in the U.S.
by placename, ZIP code, area code and exchange or latitude/longitude,
and profile backcountry travels for distance and elevation. You can
zoom to specific areas and print, and can also annotate maps with hiking
routes, campsites, etc. It is already loaded on the computers in the
GIS lab—just insert the disks and select the program from the Start->Run
menu.
Map index to topographic quadrangles of the United States, 1882-1940 / by Riley Moore Moffat
Maps Reference GA405.M64
1985
A Cartobibliography of Separately Published U.S. Geological
Survey Special Maps and River Surveys by Peter L. Stark;
foreword by Riley Moore Moffat
Maps Atlases Z6027.U5 S7 1989
U.S. Geological Survey topographic mapping of Washington State
To find topographic maps in the UW Library Catalog, go to our Tips
for Searching the Catalog. The following sets are available for
Washington State (current and superceded editions):
Topography and drainage : Seattle
Maps General Map Cases G4284.S4
C2 s9 .S44
This 2002-2003 map series covers elevation contours and streams.
City of Seattle : [topographic maps at 1:2,400] / City of Seattle Department
of Engineering
Maps General Map Cases G4284.S4
s024
While this is an older set, it is the largest scale and most detailed
we have. Each sheet covers one township and range section.
3-D TopoQuads
Maps Media G4281.C2
1999 D4
This set of 8 CDs from the DeLorme Mapping Co. can locate features in
Washington by placename, geographic feature, USGS quad, or latitude/longitude.
You can profile backcountry travels for distance and elevation, view
a 3-D perspective, and customize and print maps. It is already loaded
on both GIS computers—just insert the disks and select the program
from the Start->Run menu.
Digital raster graphics (DRGs)
Maps Media G4281.C2 svar .G4
These are scanned topographic maps on CD-ROM for all of Washington State.
An index to
Washington DRGs is available online.