Uses of Contour   Maps

Contour maps are very useful for many engineering works:

1. A civil engineer studies the contours and determines the nature of the ground to recognize. Appropriate site for the project works to be taken up.

2. It is possible to find out profile of the ground along that line by drawing the section in the plan. It helps in determine depth of cutting and filling, if formation level of road or railway is decided.

3. By drawing profile of the ground along that line Inter visibility of any 2 points may be found

4. The routes of the railway, canal, road or sewer lines may be decided so as to minimize and balance earthworks.

5. Catchment area and therefore quantity of water flow at any point of river or nalla can be found. This study is very significant in locating, dams, bunds and also to determine flood levels.

6. It is possible to determine the capacity of a reservoir from the contours.