LAB # 3

Great Salt Lake Map Activity

Prepared by: Robert E. Ford
Email: rford@univ.llu.edu
 

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I. General Instructions (for use on a FIELD-BASED EXERCISE only):

For use as a review prior to going on a field trip to Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah. Some or all of the questions could be answered in the field, particularly the map interpretation questions. A good place to start is the online USGS map use module: Finding Your way with a Map and Compass.

Other Modules to Study (from the University of Colorado, Virtual Geography Department) on Geodetic Datums, GPS, Map Projections, Professional Tutorials and Coordinate Systems

II. Resources Needed:

NOTE: The following maps will be used in class/lab - Malouf Hall 203 (extra copies will be kept in the lab
on the map case in the northwest corner for you to use after hours when the lab is open):

a) Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah (1995). Available from: Utah Department of Natural Resources, 1594 W. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT (bookstore) Tel. 801-538-7200. Also from Utah Geological Survey and Davis County Tourism Board, Antelope Island Visitors Center, P.O. Box 618, Farmington, UT 84025. Price $1.00

b) Promontory Point, Utah 30X60 Minute Quadrangle (1:100,000 metric topographic map). #41112-A1-TM-100 (1987). USGS (US Geological Survey). Available at most recreational outlets and at Utah Geological Survey or the Department of Natural Resources (see above).

c) Tooele, Utah 30X60 Minute Quadrangle (1:100,000 metric topographic map). USGS (US Geological Survey). Available at most recreational outlets and at Utah Geological Survey or the Department of Natural Resources (see above).

III. Key Concepts Studied:

A) How to orient a the map. B) Magnetic Declination.

C) Scale:

D) Calculating distance on a map using a piece of paper or ruler.

E) Interpreting elevation and relief markings - (note BM = Benchmarks and regular/index contour intervals)

F) Calculating direction and navigating using a compass and finding a bearing.

    From Terrain to Map Method

    From Map to Terrain Method G) Locating yourself using map coordinates, e.g.: finding Latitude and Longitude (Parallels and Meridians).

H) Introduction to the PLSS (Public Land Survey System)--Townships, Ranges, Sections, cadastral mapping.

IV. Questions to Answer--LAB ACTIVITY (see also: Great Salt Lake Ecosystem - Virtual Fieldtrip (Robert Ford)

1. On the Promontory Point map (1987 or 1991 edition) find the magnetic declination - how much is it? _________

Is magnetic north to the East or West of True North? _______________

2. Look on the Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah (1995) map.  Is the declination different?

Yes or No ______

Why do you think this might be?

____________________________________________________

3. What would be a verbal scale for the Antelope Island Map BE? - 1 inch (or 1 centimenter) =  ____ miles/kms

_______________________________________________________

4. What would be the RF (Representative Fraction) scale of the Antelope Island Map? (you may need a ruler and calculator)

____________________________________________________

5. Is the Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah (1995) map a large or small scale map?
Explain your answer.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

6. Using the Promontory Point map, determine how far is it as the crow flies from the sewage disposal (on the mainland near where the ferry/old RR grade intersects the coast) and Buffalo Point on Antelope Island?

______________________(miles / km)

7. Using the Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah (1995)map determine how far  it is--walking along the beach and overland from the Egg Island parking lot--to Buffalo Spring near the primitive campground on Bridger Bay?

8. What is the elevation of Stringham Peak as indicated on the Antelope Island map? _______________Feet

9. How many feet are there between each set of index contour lines (the ones with printed elevation numbers).

________________________________feet

10. What is the gradient (e.g. % grade) between the Beach at Buffalo Spring to the top of Buffalo Point?

HINT = you will need to calculate the elevation gain (rise in feet) over the horizontal run distance (also in feet or meters) and then divide and multiply by 100.

_______________________________________
 

11. What is the latitude and longitude of the Southwest corner of the Promontory Point map?

________________________________

12. Look at the Promontory Point map--any place on the mainland.  Note the many squares outlined in red lines.
What size (in square miles) are these blocks (sections) of land?

_________________

13. Look at the Antelope Island map - in which block (or section) is Tin Lambing Shed Basin found?

____________________

14. Look closer at these blocks (sections).  How are they numbered and in what direction?  If you need to
review the PLSS (Public Land Rectangular Survey System) as explained in the module
entitled:  Coordinate Systems (from the University of Colorado, Boulder).

_______________________________________________________________

15. Do you find any numbers greater than 36? __________

16. What is this location system used for?  What does Cadastral mean?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

17. What is a section? How many sections are there in a township?  How many acres in a section and
a quarter-section?

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

18. What do the designations T3N or R3W  mean?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
 
 

                               

Last Revised: June 8, 2004