USGS Frequently Asked Questions
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- How current will these maps be?
These maps will be remade every three years as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial imagery is reflown and new Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (DOQ) are made. The features shown on the maps will be rev... - Are US Topo or "Digital Maps–Beta" copyrighted?
With the exception of licensed commercial road data, these maps have no copyright. For maps with commercial roads (roughly, maps produced after April 2010), the commercial provider retains copyright to the road data. All other data are public domain. US To... - Can I import a US Topo into my geographic information system (GIS)?
At this time, no major GIS vendor supplies PDF import capabilities. US Topo is a map product, not a GIS product. Although derived from GIS data sets, US Topos are packaged as a PDF for non-GIS users. GIS vendors may offer PDF import capabilities in the fut... - Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes, prior editions of topographic maps are being scanned into the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. The scanned maps are being made available for free download through the USGS Store at http://store.usgs.gov/. Or, you may purchase plots of the s... - How can I find the source and vintage of each data layer?
The credit legend, in the lower left-hand corner of the map, provides a short summary of sources and data currency. More detailed source information is in an XML metadata file attached to each GeoPDF file. Metadata can be opened by clicking on the paper cl... - How can I get Adobe Reader?
You can download the Reader free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ ... - How do I download the new US Topo maps?
Please see the US Topo Users Guide. ... - How do I get a full-scale plot of the 1:24,000-scale map?
There are three ways to get full-scale plots of the 1:24,000-scale map. 1. Request the plot from the USGS Store after selecting the map you want plotted. 2. Download and send the GeoPDF map file to a local business that can plot it for you. 3. Downloa... - How do I print the map on my desktop printer?
Refer to the user guide at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/quickstart.pdf... - How do I use these maps on my personal computer?
You will find a user guide at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/quickstart.pdf. For additional information on using these maps, see http://www.terragotech.com/products/terrago-toolbar... - I found an error on a map. How can I report it, and when will you fix it?
Send email to ustopo@usgs.gov. Please include the following information: 1) the quadrangle name and State, 2) a description of the error, and 3) location information. For location, include geographic coordinates if at all possible. These can be rea... - Is it possible to download US Topos in bulk -- say, for a State or even the entire country?
Not at this time. However, the USGS will copy a snapshot of large areas to a portable hard drive provided, with prepaid shipping, by the customer. To inquire about this distribution mechanism, send email to ustopo@usgs.gov. Be aware that the set of US Topo... - What are the USGS’s plans for the topographic maps?
After the completion of the original 7.5-minute map series in 1992 and until late 2008, the USGS mapping program focused on creating national geographic information system (GIS) databases. In November 2008, USGS management committed to design and produce a... - What can I do with a PDF file with geospatial extensions (GeoPDF®)?
Users can interact with the map on a computer screen without GIS software or expertise. For example, ground coordinates in a variety of reference systems can be displayed, and ground distances can be measured. Full functionality requires Adobe Reader softw... - What data are used in the production of the US Topo?
The US Topo maps will eventually be made with all data themes from The National Map. The geospatial data now available from The National Map include orthoimagery (scale-corrected aerial photographs), elevation, geographic names, hydrography, boundari... - What does the "Beta" mean in "Digital Map–Beta?"
"Beta" means that these maps were the initial release of the US Topo product. The "Digital Map–Beta" maps do not contain all of the traditional content of the USGS topographic quadrangle maps. ... - What is a GeoPDF®?
GeoPDF is a TerraGo Technologies published extension to the Adobe PDF file format. GeoPDF is not a separate format; any GeoPDF conforms to the base PDF specification, and GeoPDF files can be used as plain PDF files. Learn more about GeoPDF: http://en.wik... - What is GeoMark and will the GeoPDF's be GeoMark enabled?
US Topos and "Digital Maps–Beta" are not GeoMark enabled at this time. If a GeoPDF was created with the GeoMark function enabled, users could use tools provided by TerraGo Desktop to add text and/or annotations such as points, lines, and polygons to ... - What is the difference between US Topo maps and "Digital Map–Beta?"
The preliminary version of the new map series was named "Digital Map–Beta." These maps included an orthoimage base, road features, and geographic names in the traditional, geographically referenced 7.5-minute quadrangle format. Production of US Topo ... - What versions of Adobe Reader do I need to work with GeoPDF files?
Any 9.x or 10.x version will work. Note that if using Adobe Reader X (v 10.x) and the TerraGo Toolbar, the user must be in the "Non-Protective" mode. However, if using the Adobe "Geospatial Location Tool," the user can be in either the "Protective" or "Non... - When can I expect to see the ultimate version of the US Topo?
The USGS vision for the US Topo is one of continual improvement with ongoing enhancements of data and functionality. Data contained in The National Map's eight data themes will be incorporated on the maps. The vision includes giving the users the optio... - When will US Topos be available for the whole country, or for an area specific to my need?
The production of US Topos follows the 3-year U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). The conterminous United States should be mapped once every 3 years. The first 3-year production cycle ended in the fall of 2011, but ... - Where can I find more information about US Topo maps?
More information is available at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/index.html... - Why are there no contours on "Digital Maps–Beta?"
The USGS has worked to improve the quality of the elevation data in The National Map and improving the fit of contours derived from these data to water features from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Integrated contours and hydrography features are b... - Why are there no trails, railroads, Public Land Survey System (PLSS), green timber layer, buildings, etc. on US Topos?
The original USGS topographic map series (1945-1992) included several feature classes that are not yet shown on US Topos. Examples include railroads, recreational trails, pipelines, power lines, green timber tint, survey markers, and many types of building...