Comparison of USGS topo maps before and after 2010
    Andy Martin    oldadit  @  gmail.com
    Dec 18, 2014 


    Summary: The new map are worse than the old maps in many ways.

    Details: Recently I had to work with several of the
    post 2010 USGS maps because they show current political
    borders. I found that these maps are much worse than the
    pre 2010 maps for hikers, peakbaggers, and high point listers.

    The attached image, also online at
	http://www.cohp.org/writers/andymartin/USGS_Old_and_New_Map_Comparison/topo_compare.jpg 
    compares two state high points, with the older maps on the left.

    Problems:

    1. The topographic information is badly degraded. Many contours
         are missing. Much fine detail is lost. Perhaps the process
         that transferred the topo lines into the National
         Elevation Dataset (NED) can be repeated with a much
         finer granularity and we can get the old information back ?

    2. Spot elevations and benchmarks are not shown.

    3. Section and township information is gone (red info
         on White Butte map)

    4. Many dwellings no longer shown. (Not shown on the illustration)

    5. Labeling unclear. On new Rainier map, what is the name
         of the mountain ?

    6. Snow/rock transition no longer visible.

    On the bright side the new maps are free to download from the
    USGS store, and the old maps are available many places online.
    Hopefully funding is available to the USGS to improve the
    quality of the new maps.

    Also note that in some flat areas
    (link from Andy Hatzos)
    http://www.coast.noaa.gov/inventory/#
    the NED is being enhanced by Lidar. In these cases
    we may be able to rely on the post 2010 topography a bit more.