There are different answers to this question for different products. In all cases, we must know what product you're addressing. Please read the following guidelines and email error reports to tnm_help@usgs.gov:
US Topo Maps (topographic maps published 2009-present)
Please include the following information:
- The map title, state, and date (from the title block in the lower right corner).
- Description of the error.
- Location of the error.
For location, coordinates are preferred in latitude/longitude, UTM, or USNG. Otherwise include a detailed description of the feature and its location so someone not familiar with the area can find it on the map. A screenshot image would be most helpful.
The US Topo project does not edit data and performs only limited data verification. Data sources include both government and non-government organizations. If errors are determined to be a source-data issue, they will be passed to the data owner. Unless there is a serious error, US Topo maps will not be reissued. The corrected data will be included when the map is remade in the regular 3-year cycle.
Historical Topographic Maps (topographic maps published before 2007)
USGS maps in the Historical Topographic Map Collection are historical documents and will not be revised or corrected. Historical USGS maps are often used as a base map for commercial map products that make modifications or add enhancements and put a current date on the map. The USGS has no control over those products.
OnDemandTopo Maps
Please include the following information:
- The map title, state, and date (from the title block in the lower right corner).
- Description of the error.
- Location of the error.
For location, coordinates are preferred in latitude/longitude, UTM, or USNG. Otherwise include a detailed description of the feature and its location so someone not familiar with the area can find it on the map. A screenshot image would be most helpful.
OnDemand Topos utilize the best available data from The National Map and no editing is performed prior to on-demand map generation. Data sources include both government and non-government organizations. If errors are determined to be a source-data issue, they will be passed to the data owner. Once corrections are made a new map can be re-requested with the updated data. Corrections take 24 hours to appear on newly requested OnDemand Topos.
Web Maps
Confirm that the application is owned by USGS. Send us the URL of the application and coordinates of the feature in question. If you don't know how to extract coordinates, send a screen-grab image and a description of its location, such as city and state, or direction and distance from a town or highway intersection.
GIS Data
Confirm that the data are from the USGS. Send us the dataset title and date from the metadata file or the download URL. Please provide the coordinates of the feature in question and any relevant feature attribute information. Screenshot images are helpful.
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How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data?
If you think you’ve found an error in USGS elevation data, please send an email to tnm_help@usgs.gov. We will add the reported information to our "Digital Elevation Model Issues" data log for further analysis and possible correction. Spikes, pits, seam-line anomalies, and other data errors are of concern to us. We are working to correct or minimize known issues, but it will take some time. Errors...
How do I report an error in the Geographic Names Information System database?
Please report possible errors in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database to the GNIS Manager at GNIS_manager@usgs.gov. The Names data experts will investigate and validate the data, enter appropriate corrections where needed, and advise you of the results. Learn more: U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Principles, Policies, and Procedures
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. USGS topographic maps have been published at many scales, but 1:24,000 (also referred to as a 7.5-minute quadrangle) has been the standard topographic map scale since 1947. For Alaska the standard scale is 1:25,000. All dates and all scales of our topographic maps can be freely...
There are multiple copies of the same map in your Historical Topographic Map Collection that all have the same date. Is there a difference between those maps?
Two or more historical topographic maps with the same date typically result from revisions and reprints. The differences are often minor. The date used to identify a map is in the lower right corner. If there are multiple editions with the same compilation date, look for additional dates in the lower right portion of the map collar that might differentiate them: Date on Map -- The year of base...
Why are some of the historical topographic maps yellowed and why do some have extra stamps or marks?
The goals of the Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC) project are to find, catalog, and georeference all USGS topographic quadrangle maps published prior to 2007. The overall purpose is to preserve the map archive for scientists, historians, and the public. Library copies of maps (many of which have library stamps) were therefore scanned "as is". Map restoration is not part of the current...
How can I submit a question or report issues regarding The National Map products and services?
Submit questions about The National Map products or report issues to The National Map service desk at: tnm_help@usgs.gov
Why do all of the coordinates (latitude and longitude) in the Geographic Names Information System seem incorrect?
Coordinates that seem to be incorrect in the Geographic Names Information System might just be projected on a different datum from the datum used on your map or your positioning system (GPS). Most USGS maps published approximately 1940-1995 are projected on the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27). Later maps are projected on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). This "datum shift" changes the...
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- FAQ
Your map has road/address errors and people can't find my house
This issue is usually about maps on GPS devices, smart phone applications, or commercial online maps. The USGS does not provide road or address information for those products, almost all of which use road data from commercial sources. The USGS has no relationship with those companies. The USGS mission does not include the collection and maintenance of road data or addresses. Roads and other...
How do I report errors in 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) elevation data?
If you think you’ve found an error in USGS elevation data, please send an email to tnm_help@usgs.gov. We will add the reported information to our "Digital Elevation Model Issues" data log for further analysis and possible correction. Spikes, pits, seam-line anomalies, and other data errors are of concern to us. We are working to correct or minimize known issues, but it will take some time. Errors...
How do I report an error in the Geographic Names Information System database?
Please report possible errors in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database to the GNIS Manager at GNIS_manager@usgs.gov. The Names data experts will investigate and validate the data, enter appropriate corrections where needed, and advise you of the results. Learn more: U.S. Board on Geographic Names: Principles, Policies, and Procedures
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. USGS topographic maps have been published at many scales, but 1:24,000 (also referred to as a 7.5-minute quadrangle) has been the standard topographic map scale since 1947. For Alaska the standard scale is 1:25,000. All dates and all scales of our topographic maps can be freely...
There are multiple copies of the same map in your Historical Topographic Map Collection that all have the same date. Is there a difference between those maps?
Two or more historical topographic maps with the same date typically result from revisions and reprints. The differences are often minor. The date used to identify a map is in the lower right corner. If there are multiple editions with the same compilation date, look for additional dates in the lower right portion of the map collar that might differentiate them: Date on Map -- The year of base...
Why are some of the historical topographic maps yellowed and why do some have extra stamps or marks?
The goals of the Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC) project are to find, catalog, and georeference all USGS topographic quadrangle maps published prior to 2007. The overall purpose is to preserve the map archive for scientists, historians, and the public. Library copies of maps (many of which have library stamps) were therefore scanned "as is". Map restoration is not part of the current...
How can I submit a question or report issues regarding The National Map products and services?
Submit questions about The National Map products or report issues to The National Map service desk at: tnm_help@usgs.gov
Why do all of the coordinates (latitude and longitude) in the Geographic Names Information System seem incorrect?
Coordinates that seem to be incorrect in the Geographic Names Information System might just be projected on a different datum from the datum used on your map or your positioning system (GPS). Most USGS maps published approximately 1940-1995 are projected on the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27). Later maps are projected on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). This "datum shift" changes the...
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