Historical USGS topographic maps (produced until 2006) included spot elevation labels on mountain peaks, local high points, and sometimes well defined points such as crossroads. These elevations were usually measured either by field survey triangulation or photogrammetric triangulation. Their average accuracy was on the rough order of +/- 10 feet, though accuracy varied with method, terrain, and map vintage.
Today, the Global Positioning System (GPS) delivers comparable accuracy on inexpensive consumer devices, and professional GPS equipment can achieve accuracies better than one foot (however, unlike some traditional triangulation methods, GPS measurements require visiting the point). No national dataset of high-accuracy spot elevations exists and no government agency has a mandate to create one. Therefore, US Topo maps do not show mountain peak or other spot elevations.
The most authoritative set of U.S. peak elevations is NOAA's National Geodetic Survey's data sheet collection. However, many of these elevations are also from pre-GPS measurements, so are not necessarily the most recent or best-available elevation for any particular point.
USGS applications for finding elevations include the Elevation Point Query Service, Bulk Point Query Service, and the National Map Viewer spot elevation tool.
Related Content
Is there a list of mountain peak elevations in the United States?
The USGS does not have specific data for current mountain peak elevations other than what was previously published in an Elevations and Distances in the United States booklet. To determine an approximate elevation at a specific point, use the spot elevation tool query in the in The National Map Viewer or search for features via the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Search Domestic Names...
What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
There are no official definitions for generic terms as applied to geographic features. Any existing definitions derive from the needs and applications of organizations using those geographic features. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database utilizes 63 broad categories of feature types defined solely to facilitate retrieval of entries with similar characteristics from the database...
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...
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Historically, USGS topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those maps were compiled, drawn, and edited by hand. By today's standards, those traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming, and the USGS no longer has funding to make maps that way. A new USGS topographic map series was launched in 2009 and branded "US Topo." Though...
Why are there no power lines, pipelines, libraries, trails, etc. on US Topo maps?
The original USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000 scale) Historical Topographic Maps (produced 1945-1992) included feature classes that are not yet shown on US Topo maps (produced 2009-present). Examples include pipelines, power lines, survey markers, many types of boundaries, and many types of buildings. The USGS no longer does field verification or other primary data collection for these feature classes...
How current are US Topo maps?
US Topo maps are updated on a three-year production cycle (maps covering one third of the country are updated each year). The US Topo production schedule follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) collection schedule. This does not include US Topos for Alaska, which are on a different schedule. The linework features shown on the maps are generated...
Related Content
- FAQ
Is there a list of mountain peak elevations in the United States?
The USGS does not have specific data for current mountain peak elevations other than what was previously published in an Elevations and Distances in the United States booklet. To determine an approximate elevation at a specific point, use the spot elevation tool query in the in The National Map Viewer or search for features via the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Search Domestic Names...
What is the difference between "mountain", "hill", and "peak"; "lake" and "pond"; or "river" and "creek?"
There are no official definitions for generic terms as applied to geographic features. Any existing definitions derive from the needs and applications of organizations using those geographic features. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database utilizes 63 broad categories of feature types defined solely to facilitate retrieval of entries with similar characteristics from the database...
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...
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Historically, USGS topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those maps were compiled, drawn, and edited by hand. By today's standards, those traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming, and the USGS no longer has funding to make maps that way. A new USGS topographic map series was launched in 2009 and branded "US Topo." Though...
Why are there no power lines, pipelines, libraries, trails, etc. on US Topo maps?
The original USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000 scale) Historical Topographic Maps (produced 1945-1992) included feature classes that are not yet shown on US Topo maps (produced 2009-present). Examples include pipelines, power lines, survey markers, many types of boundaries, and many types of buildings. The USGS no longer does field verification or other primary data collection for these feature classes...
How current are US Topo maps?
US Topo maps are updated on a three-year production cycle (maps covering one third of the country are updated each year). The US Topo production schedule follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) collection schedule. This does not include US Topos for Alaska, which are on a different schedule. The linework features shown on the maps are generated...
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