What is a contour map used for?

• A. It Enables Property Tax Assessment
• B. It Locates Underground Utilities
• C. It Shows Hills, Valleys, Plateaus, And Other Patterns That May Affect Water Drainage, Runoff, Or Other Development Issues
• D. It Determines Property Lines

Answer: (C)

Contour maps depict elevation and landforms with contour lines, letting you see where the terrain rises and falls. This helps you understand how water will flow across the land, where drainage or runoff might accumulate, and how slope and topography could impact development, grading, and erosion control. Because of that, the map is used to show hills, valleys, plateaus, and the patterns that affect water drainage and other development issues.

Other uses you might see reflected in different maps—like tax assessment, locating underground utilities, or determining property lines—rely on parcel data, utility surveys, or legal boundary surveys rather than elevation-focused contour information.