US Topo Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers are grouped in the following sections:

Mapping Program
Product Access and Download
Product Format
Product Content
Product Use

Mapping Program

Question: What are the USGS’s plans for the topographic maps?

Answer: 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 new digital quadrangle topographic map series, first named "Digital Map–Beta" and later rebranded as US Topo. You can learn more about the future of the USGS's topographic maps and mapping program at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/. Further information about The National Map is available at http://nationalmap.gov and from the "Fact Sheet" link at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo. Additional information about the US Topo program through mid-2011 is available at http://www.directionsmag.com/articles/us-topo-a-new-national-map-series/178707

Question: Where can I find more information about US Topo maps?

Answer: More information is available at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo.

Question: What is the difference between US Topo maps and "Digital Map–Beta?"

Answer: 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 maps began in October 2009. US Topos contain all of the content of the earlier "Digital Map–Beta" plus integrated contours and hydrographic features. US Topo maps are an evolutionary step toward complete digital topographic map content. Additional content will be added based upon user community needs and the availably of national coverage of the required feature(s). In 2012, US Topos will add boundaries, structures, and woodland. As the USGS begins the second production cycle for the conterminous 48 states, the "Digital Map–Beta" will be replaced with US Topo contour maps. Full coverage of the 48 states with US Topos should be achieved by the end of 2012.

Question: What does the "Beta" mean in "Digital Map–Beta?"

Answer: "Beta" means that these maps were the initial release of the US Topo product. The "Digital Map–Beta" do not contain all of the traditional content of the USGS topographic quadrangle maps.

Question: When will US Topos be available for the whole country, or for an area specific to my need?

Answer: 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 ends in the fall of 2011, but complete coverage of the conterminous 48 states will not be achieved until the end of 2012, when maps showing all National Forest areas are completed and all "Digital Maps–Beta" are replaced with US Topo contour maps. US Topos of Hawaii and Puerto Rico are planned for production in 2012. Sample quads in Alaska are also planned for 2012, but schedules for US Topos of all of Alaska are not yet set because suitable elevation data is not available at this time. The USGS also intends to create US Topos for the Pacific Territory islands, but schedules for these areas have not yet been established.

Question: When can I expect to see the ultimate version of the US Topo?

Answer: 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 option to add other data beyond those data contained within The National Map. The program objectives are continuous product improvement and a rapid refresh cycle, so it is likely that there will never be an "ultimate" and completely stable product.

Question: Will USGS maps of other scales be updated?

Answer: Yes, the USGS intends to update smaller-scale maps (1:100,000; 1:250,000) from The National Map data after completing large-scale coverage for the Nation and developing largely automated capabilities to derive these maps from The National Map data. However, no production schedules have been established at this time. Complete coverage at the base scales of 1:24,000, 1:20,000 (Puerto Rico), and Alaska (scale to be determined) are the highest priority.

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Product Access and Download

Question: How do I download the new US Topo maps

Answer: Please see the US Topo Users Guide

Question: Is it possible to download US Topos in bulk? Say, for a State or even the entire country?

Answer: 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 Topos is constantly changing, and that keeping a private copy of any large area synchronized with the USGS copy would be difficult.

The USGS is working on a Web discovery service and API to the database and download service used by the current interactive download applications. When this development is finished and the API published, outside organizations will be able to script multiple-file downloads. This mechanism will also solve the problem of keeping different copies correctly synchronized.

Question: Can I still get the older topographic maps?

Answer: 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 scanned map files.

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Product Format

Question: What is a GeoPDF®?

Answer: 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. Further information about GeoPDF is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeoPDF and at http://www.terragotech.com/.

Question: Why was the PDF file format selected for US Topo maps?

Answer: US Topo is intended to serve map users who are not GIS specialists. The priority design objectives were to create a traditional topographic map, in a digital format that can be displayed on any normal office computer without specialized software, and printed at map scale without specialized software or expertise. We believe PDF is the only format in common use that satisfies these requirements. The geospatial extensions add limited GIS functionality "for free" – users who are not interested in georeferencing can still use the product as a plain PDF. Further information about GeoPDF is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeoPDF and at http://www.terragotech.com/.

Question: What can I do with a PDF file with geospatial extensions (GeoPDF®)?

Answer: 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 software with the TerraGo Technologies TerraGo Toolbar. Users who are not interested in ground coordinate systems or GIS-like functions can still view and print the maps as plain PDF documents. Further information is available at the user's guide on http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/quickstart.pdf, or at http://www.terragotech.com/.

Question: How can I get Adobe Reader?

Answer: You can download the Reader free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.

Question: What versions of Adobe Reader do I need to work with GeoPDF files?

Answer: 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-Protective" mode.

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Product Content

Question: Why are there no trails, railroads, Public Land Survey System (PLSS), green timber layer, buildings, etc. on US Topos?

Answer: 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 buildings. In all cases, the problem is that there are no national data sources suitable for general-purpose, 1:24,000-scale maps. For many of these feature classes, USGS is working with other agencies to develop data. Over time, as these data become available and are included in The National Map, that content will be added to the US Topos. For an overview of the philosophy of US Topo content, see the article at http://www.directionsmag.com/articles/us-topo-a-new-national-map-series/178707.

Question: What data are used in the production of the US Topo?

Answer: 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, boundaries, transportation, structures, and land cover. These data are acquired through partnerships with States, local, Tribal, and Federal agencies. It is anticipated that more local and State data will be used as they are made available and integrated into The National Map data holdings. Roads on US Topos come from two sources: licensed commercial data for most of the country, and the US Forest Service for National Forest areas. The commercial roads are the only data on US Topos that are not public domain, although the USGS license agreement still allows US Topos to be freely redistributed. Links to each data theme (except the commercial roads) are available at The National Map home page http://nationalmap.gov under the Product and Services Tab.

Question: Will the best and latest data be used to compile these maps?

Answer: Yes. The USGS is committed to producing a reliable and accurate product using quality data provided in part from our partners.

Question: How current will these maps be?

Answer: 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 revised or renewed from the latest The National Map data holdings.

Question: How can I find the source and vintage of each data layer?

Answer: 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 clip icon in the lower left corner of the table of contents (in the Acrobat Reader or Acrobat; behavior in other PDF readers may vary). This opens a folder containing one metadata file. Double click on the file to open it. Accept your Web browser’s warning and click on the title of the metadata file to display the black metadata text. Metadata contains a citation naming the originators of the map and types of data in the map. Placeholders for the originator’s publication dates are not populated. Both the credit legend and the metadata give the date of the data layers as a beginning and ending set of dates, when known.

Question: Why are there no contours on "Digital Maps–Beta?"

Answer: 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 being incorporated on US Topo maps.

Question: Why is there no accuracy statement on these maps?

Answer: The accuracy statement is left off these maps because the accuracy of the map and of the data used to make the map are written in the metadata statement. These maps are as accurate as the data sources used to make them, but because these sources are many and varied, it is not possible to make a single simple statement that the map as a whole meets a particular level of accuracy.

Question: I found an error on a map. How can I report it, and when will you fix it?

Answer: Send email to ustopo@usgs.gov. Please include 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 read directly from the screen if you use the TerraGo Toolbar and GeoPDF extensions. They can also be read from the grid annotation as on a traditional paper map. Otherwise include a detailed description of the feature and its location so someone unfamiliar with ground conditions can find it on the US Topo.

The US Topo program does not verify or edit data, it only repackages data from other sources into a standard topographic map format. Error reports will be evaluated, and if determined to be a source-data issue, will be passed to the data owner. In many cases this will be other USGS programs, in some cases other government agencies, and for most roads a commercial data provider. Actual correction of a data error is the responsibility of the data owner. In most cases, US Topos will not be specially remade to correct an error. Instead, the data sources will be corrected for inclusion when the map is remade in the regular 3-year cycle. We believe that data sources will continually improve, and the quality and currentness of the map series as a whole is best served by a rapid refresh cycle rather than by giving special attention to an individual map.

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Product Use

Question: How do I use these maps on my personal computer?

Answer: 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

Question: Are US Topo or "Digital Maps–Beta" copyrighted?

Answer: 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 Topos, even those that include commercial roads, may be reproduced freely, and used for any purpose, provided the commercial road copyright notice is retained. The USGS always appreciates receiving credit whenever our products are used.

Question: What is GeoMark and will the GeoPDF's be GeoMark enabled?

Answer: 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 the map. The USGS is investigating issues concerning GeoMark enabling and expects to enable the GeoMark functionality on US Topos in the future. When this happens we will highlight this on the US Topo Web site. Further information about GeoMark is available at: http://www.terragotech.com/news-and-events/press/terrago-announces-general-availability-terrago-composer

Question: How do I print the map on my desktop printer?

Answer: Refer to the user guide at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/quickstart.pdf.

Question: How do I get a full-scale plot of the 1:24,000-scale map?

Answer: There are three ways to get full-scale plots of the 1:24,000-scale map.

Request the plot from the USGS Store after selecting the map you want plotted.
Download and send the GeoPDF map file to a local business that can plot it for you.
Download and plot the GeoPDF map file on your own large-format plotter.

Caution – for options two and three, check the plot to make sure the symbols, text fonts, and the map scale were replicated correctly.

Question: Can I import a US Topo into my geographic information system (GIS)?

Answer: 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 future. The USGS is considering packaging US Topo layers in a GIS-compatible format, but this is not currently a program priority and no commitment to do so exists at this time.

If the above Frequently Asked Questions do not address your specific issue, contact us at http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/ustopo_feedback.html

Disclaimer and Trademark Notice

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.