Is the ground rising or falling?

There are three things on a map which can help you to tell if ground is rising or falling:

• Contour Lines
• Shading
• Rivers and Streams

Remember, water always flows from higher to lower ground so this can help you to identify the higher ground.

Contour line arrows pointing uphill

Contour lines in the shape of an uphill pointing arrow. Formed when a river meets a contour line on a map.

Contour line arrows pointing uphill

Contour line arrows pointing uphill

Contour lines in the shape of an uphill pointing arrow. Formed when a river meets a contour line on a map.

Enlarge image

When contour lines meet a river they form a V shape which always points upstream and therefore uphill.

This can help you to determine whether ground is rising or falling.

There are other examples of V shaped contour lines or "arrows" pointing uphill in this map. Can you find them?