Stream Gages going away 7/1/17?

[KCRIVERRAT]

Ditto OTF. I'm gonna simply say politics do no not suck until politicians make it suck. Seriously... how many of us know the person we vote for and what their stances are? And in most cases, voters from either party fall for the rhetoric.  Greitens has bigger issues to address than saving chump change shutting down a few river gauges. The elephants and donkeys are messing everything up by their non-partisan actions for the American people. But you know what? The rivers still flow and I'm gonna fish'em.

[Al Agnew]

 

Their topo maps leave alot to be desired, the top lines and the bottom lines are kinda close.....But all those lines in between are so far off that it's truly a waste of time and more misleading than helpful.  And their weather data is equally sketchy too.   About the only thing they seem to be able to accurately assess is river data......And that's where they choose to take a poop. ?

If upper level river data is not the LEAST  important thing that they do then what is?  And I wonder,  did they make cuts there first?

They appear to be deviating from their mission statement, do they not?

Really?  I've always found the paper topo maps to be very accurate--at least the newer versions.  The first version of the new online maps were a little less accurate, as they didn't go into quite the same level of detail.  But I've just been working with the second version (2015) on the maps that cover lower Big River, and they are extremely detailed and accurate.

[fishinwrench]

Really.  They kinda suck for the area around here.  It is as if they took the highs and the lows....then guessed at the rest in between.   There are valleys and draws that are not indicated on the map, and then there are areas where I think they just assumed a creek ran next to a steep hillside where in real life it meanders out into a low flat area.   

It also shows that the spot where my house sits is 710' in elevation when according to lake level at full pool I am 744msl  Not a big deal but why even put numbers on there if they are innacurate.

[ozark trout fisher]

 

Really.  They kinda suck for the area around here.  It is as if they took the highs and the lows....then guessed at the rest in between.   There are valleys and draws that are not indicated on the map, and then there are areas where I think they just assumed a creek ran next to a steep hillside where in real life it meanders out into a low flat area.   

It also shows that the spot where my house sits is 710' in elevation when according to lake level at full pool I am 744msl  Not a big deal but why even put numbers on there if they are innacurate.

I won't say they are bad, but yeah I'd agree that taking those topo maps as gospel is a bad idea if a high degree of precision is required. Speaking from experience.

[jdmidwest]

I have never heard of an inaccurate USGS topo. Their cartographers have always been quality. And I forgot that, I use the topos too.  

[Al Agnew]

They can't be absolutely accurate at that scale, but I've always found them to be pretty close.  When it comes to streams, of course, they are only as accurate as their age, since streams change constantly.  Same thing with man-made features.  

The on line versions I've been working with lately in making a float map of lower Big River are exceptional, partly because they have a ten-foot contour interval instead of the usual 20-foot.  But they show tiny landscape features that most of the older maps would never show.

I've got some really old topo maps in my collection.  The original map of the area where I live was the 15 minute version, made in 1906!  And it wasn't upgraded until the 1970s.  While certainly inaccurate on smaller landscape features, it's amazing that it's as close as it is, considering that was long before the days of aerial photography--somebody had to roam around the whole area checking elevations and more or less drawing the whole thing by hand.

[fishinwrench]

Well if you ever decide to come visit me bring your most up to date maps (or we can pull them up) and I'll drive you around and show you substantial errors until you agree to buy some beer and come back to the shop.  

[Chief Grey Bear]

 

Their topo maps leave alot to be desired, the top lines and the bottom lines are kinda close.....But all those lines in between are so far off that it's truly a waste of time and more misleading than helpful.  And their weather data is equally sketchy too.   About the only thing they seem to be able to accurately assess is river data......And that's where they choose to take a poop. ?

I'd lay good money you don't even know how to read a topo map. But what really peaks my curiosity is how you decided all their measurements of the "lines" between the "top line" and "bottom line" are incorrect. How do you  quantify this claim?

 

[ozark trout fisher]

 

I'd lay good money you don't even know how to read a topo map. But what really peaks my curiosity is how you decided all their measurements of the "lines" between the "top line" and "bottom line" are incorrect. How do you  quantify this claim?

 

I can verify some small errors in from using them for various purposes in field research. But not the kind of errors that could get you lost or even turned around. Totally different scale.

I am also insanely picky about maps to the point where I basically always just make my own using GIS software. A product of trying to find very specific areas in thick brush. So take everything I say with a grain of salt.

[fishinwrench]

 

I'd lay good money you don't even know how to read a topo map. But what really peaks my curiosity is how you decided all their measurements of the "lines" between the "top line" and "bottom line" are incorrect. How do you  quantify this claim?

 

Gee Chief,  when there is a bunch of draws and valleys and the lines on the topo don't go like this ^ or this > or this < then guess what?  The map is innacurate.   

Seriously dude, I am so done with you. Hit the Ignore button on me or whatever you have to do....  The crap you are doing with me, here and elsewhere, is beyond creepy.