Lake Management Plan
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4.6 Topography
Topography, a term in geography, has come to refer to the "lay of the land" or the physiogeographic characteristics of land in terms of elevation, slope, and orientation.
Topography is similar to topology, popularly thought of as the mathematical study of surfaces. Its actual original meaning, from Greek "topos" (place) and "graphein" (to draw), relates to the description of places rather than broad regions, in topographic surveys. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographical survey maps included contour representation of relief, and so maps that show relief, especially with exact representation of elevation, came to be called topographic maps (or "topo" maps) in the United States, and the usage has spread internationally.
The understanding of topography is critical for a number of reasons. In terms of environmental quality, agriculture, and hydrology, understanding the topography of an area enables the understanding of watershed boundaries, drainage characteristics, water movement, and impacts on water quality.View topomap of the Pelican Lakes watershed
Understanding topography also impinges on soil conservation, especially in agriculture. Contour plowing is an established practice of enabling sustainable agriculture on sloping land, and is the practice of plowing along topographic lines.
Topography is important in determining weather patterns. Two areas in fairly close proximity geographically may differ radically in characteristics such as precipitation because of elevation differences or because of a "rain shadow" effect.
Tectonic processes and erosional processes are the determiners of topography. Tectonic processes such as orogenies cause land to be elevated, and erosional (and weathering) processes cause land to be worn away to lower elevations.
From Campbell Lake the Pelican River falls from an elevation of 1417 feet to 1316 feet at Pelican Lake depending on water level. Land elevation varies within 100 vertical feet.