Need help reading Topo

[Scott C]

Hi guys,

I'm researching some lakes for a trip to N. Wisconsin this fall, and noticed a marking that wasn't shown in the key.  Its the dotted lines around the peremiter of the lake.  I wasn't sure if it was supposed to mark something special, or if those are maybe the edges of the vegetation????

Can any map master clue me in?  

http://www.scolba.com/rec/ironcountymaps/island.gif

(the image is very large.  If its small at first, you should be able to expand it within the browswer window, still.)

Thanks!!

[JShrock07]

It looks to me that the dotted line indentifies the area of shallow water. Most maps have a very light colored blue to show shallow water however I see that this map is not a color map so mot likely then not this is showing the shallows. I would stay away from that area when up on plane on this lake (if you're in a boat) but I woud try to get a more up to date map then this one shown. Once you get to the lake you could go up against the area that is dotted and just look so you know for sure what it is.

However I wish you good luck on this new lake!!!

[Scott C]

Yeah, that makes sense....however... lol..theres always a "but", isn't there??

http://www.scolba.com/rec/ironcountymaps/pine.gif

on this map....you can see one rectangle in the middle of the lake down where it goes to 41 feet deep. I fished that one this spring and can tell you....its DEEP!! ;D But there is still that stinkin dotted line there! Corn-fusing!!!

But thanks for the good wishes on the new lake! Its always a bit nerve racking to try a new one...espeically the first one above....it has a max depth of 17' and 10.5% of the lake under 3 feet!! You can bet I'll be going slow!! ;D

[Long Mike]

My best guess is that the dotted line indicates the shoreline under low water conditions.  That is why the islands  have the same dotted lines around them.  But I could be wrong.  The map is very unconventional.  Definitely not the work of th Corps of Engineers.

[Black Bass]

Is there any information on the map about the map publisher. Looking at one of mine it lists a phone number and an email address for contact. In my case I'd send them and email or give them a call and ask what those dots represent.

[Wayne P.]

The dotted lines mean there is a navigation hazzard like shallow water, stump, rock, etc. Look at the symbol on the key and find the one like it on the lake map.

[boatnik13]

Here's what I gather > its listed as indefinate shore line. My description of that would be > under drawdown conditions > this would be your shore line in that case if it ever happen or happens .  The map looks to be made from a original topo and lake map info added over top or "over lapping" and this was done by "WISCONSIN CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT" and thats who to contact.

The map is a little confusing but thats a State Engineer at a desk I expect.  This is why I do my own maps and started my own company in PA. State. To many out dated lake maps and once its made its all copies forever from that original date.

[Scott C]

Those maps were made by the WI DNR quite some time ago....the first link was in 1966! Some of the other ones I have for iron county are from 1940!!! YIKES! I didn't notice the dates until just now. So hard telling if any of them are still acurate.

I think I'll persue a source of newer maps instead of trying to rely on these.

Thanks for the input guys!

[Catt]

Where's Ronnie (Alpster) he is a Licensed Land Surveyor and my shed some light on the subject.

[fishfordollars]

Those maps were made by the WI DNR quite some time ago....the first link was in 1966! Some of the other ones I have for iron county are from 1940!!! YIKES! I didn't notice the dates until just now. So hard telling if any of them are still acurate.

I think I'll persue a source of newer maps instead of trying to rely on these.

Thanks for the input guys!

I would kill for maps that old. They are the ones that have the lay of the land as it was originally laid out. All you need to do is get the original elevation of the lake and draw it in. You will have more info on those maps than any that were produced after the lake was impounded. I have several of Sam Rayburn from back in the 1940s and it is amazing the detail that is on them. you have the maps no one else has so put them to good use. They are a gold mine.

[Scott C]

Well, I wouldn't go that far...    Most of the lakes in Iron/Vilas county are natural lakes.  I think left over from the last ice age, maybe.  Also, all those lakes are available on the WI DNR website...so I'm sure a few other people have them.  lol  ;D

[Alpster]

Where's Ronnie (Alpster) he is a Licensed Land Surveyor and my shed some light on the subject.

The low water theory sounded good until I looked at the contours. In many places around the islands you have the dotted line appearing in relatively deep water. Also the line is not constant throughout, it has a lot of gaps along the shoreline and if you look at the dotted line carefully it almost always surrounds the symbols for sand and/or gravel, you don't find those sand & gravel symbols in the gaps of the line. My best guess although the map is not clear is it shows the limit of the sand & gravel bottom. JMPO.

Ronnie

[Scott C]

ah!  good call!!  i looked back at some of the other ones i have, and sure enough, those dots are always around the "Sd" and "Gr"

Thanks Ronnie!!

[Alpster]

Always glad to help when I can.

Ronnie

[russ0101]

he's right on the sand and rock... that's how we lay things out in the military. they did that incase the water level receded and needed more shore line. don't plane in that area if you can help it, never know where the actual depths are supposed to be. but considering this map is from the 60s, i doubt you have anything to worry about.