Streams and Stream Valleys

Streams are obvious features on topographic maps.  They are represented by blue lines. Stream valleys can be recognized by the pattern made by the contour lines around the stream.  Since streams are found in local topographic lows, the contour lines double back on themselves forming a "V" shape pattern.  Stream valleys often extend farther than the streams shown on the map by blue lines, as can be seen by the contour pattern. 

Look at the map below of the Spruce Knob area.  Where are the stream valleys?  Scroll down to find out. 

 

 
The heavy blue lines on the map below show the locations of stream valleys.  Notice these lines are longer than the actual stream symbol on the map.  The contour pattern has been used to recognize the rest of the stream valley.

The blue lines outlining the streams on the map below have arrows showing which way the stream is flowing.  There are two ways to figure this out.  First you can look at the elevation of the contour lines that cross the stream.  Water will always flow down hill so the elevation of the contour lines will decrease in the direction water is flowing.

The second way to tell is to look at the pattern of the contour lines.  Because streams will sit in a valley, the land on either side of them will be higher.  As a result the contour lines form a "V" pattern like the one in the red circle on the map below.  The point of the "V" points up stream.  The open end of the "V" faces downstream.   It is the presence of this "V" pattern that was used to recognize stream valleys where no stream was shown on the map.

Notice that one stream has been marked with a broken blue line.  There is no obvious "V" pattern to the contour lines in this valley, but instead there is a broad curve in the contours.  There probably is not a single stream in this area, but water would flow down slope in this general area until it reached a better defined stream channel.  

 

 
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