Creating a Navigation Map

GEOG 336
Charlie Krueger
Creating a Navigation Map

Introduction:

For this lab the goal was to create a map that could then be used to navigate an area called the Priory that is owned by the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. The class would be split into group that would be given different coordinates that would lead to points in the area that the groups would have to find using the maps that were created. The maps that would be created would be done so using the program ArcMap that is available through the school. Professor Hupy provided the class multiple items that were located in the Priory database that would be used to create the maps. The data base had things like contour lines around the Priory location and the images of the location that would be placed on the maps. Two maps would have to be created by each groups one containing a UTM coordinate system and the other that used the traditional world Geographic Coordinate System of Decimal Degrees. A coordinate system would also have to be placed onto the maps so that the items placed on the maps would line up with each other.

Methods:

To start off the map the base map was uploaded from the Priory database just to look at the location and to start thinking how this map would be used to navigate with. The contour lines on this map are going to help with navigation and with guidance when trying to search for the locations so that is why they were added. The lines did need to be clipped from the original size to only include the area of the boundary that was given to the class. This was done with a simple clipping tool used in ArcMap. The lime green lines stuck out the best on the map so that is why it was used over other colors. Also the labels were given to the contours lines to help the group if the locations are difficult to find with just the grid system. The grid system was put in place over the map using to different methods one being the UTM methods and the other was the world Geographic Coordinate System of Decimal Degrees. The UTM was spaced out by 50 meter sections and will be helpful to find the exact location were as the Decimal Degrees will give the general direction of the location. Finally a simple directional compass was placed on the map along with a scale bar, reference scale, and the coordinate system that these maps follow.

Results/Discussion:

The maps look the same but are different in the grid pattern that is on them. While the decimal degrees has much wider spacing the UTM has very close ones. This may cause an issue when looking at the map but should still work well enough to find the points.

The Geographic Coordinates Map

The UTM Map at 50 Meter Spacing

Summary/Conclusion:

Both of these maps will be used along side of the other group members maps to find the location of the coordinates that are around the Priory. This will be a great challenge and a good way to see if the maps that were created would be useful out in the field when all other technology can fail.