Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.2-a Conduct field investigation to analyze the
project site, document important features and landmarks,
and identify opportunities and constraints. Record with
notes and photographs.
Figure 3.2-B Making field notes on topographic map
Step 2. Site analysis
The site analysis is useful to determine—among many considerations—
the optimal location for various program uses (buildings and other
structures), access and circulation, outdoor use and landscape areas,
on-site drainage strategies, and other programmed requirements. A
slope analysis would reveal patterns of steep to moderate, to level ter-
rain on the site. The degree of steepness is determined by measuring
the distance between contours. To be useful, the distances between con-
tours are segregated into groups or zones. Each zone represents a range
of slope where contours that are generally spaced farther apart have a
slope less than 5 percent, contours generally spaced closer might have a
slope range of 6 to 10 or 15 percent, and contours spaced close together
are steeper, with a slope greater than 20 or 25 percent. Slopes greater
than 25 percent are common in mountainous regions and can be as
steep as 50 percent, 100 percent, and steeper. Through visual inspection,
the designer segregates the topographic map into zones then calculates
the average slope or range of slopes found within each zone.
For an example of how the process for preparing a slope analysis
map begins with a topographic map, see the portion of a United States
Geological Survey (USGS) map shown in Figure 3.3.
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