please help with mapping

[bernie]

I am trying to map a couple lakes that do not have maps of them. I am using my lms 350 and have a bunch of wayypoints in it but i am not sure how to put this on paper or a computor. I dont even know if what i am trying to do is reality............Thanks Bernie

[Mike Michalak]

Bernie...

You're tackling a big project. To begin with, you need a base map of the lake that will give you an accurate shoreline. Depending on how you plotted your coordinates, you'll need a program with a GPS engine that will give you specific reference points. So, if you ran your waypoints along a certain contour line, you can plot them on the computer. Do the same for the next desired depth and so on.

Hopefully, these are not larger bodies of water because it's tough to do by yourself, especially without a paper graph or software that supports identifying depth changes. You'll be able to get a rough idea of the bottom for your efforts...anything sharper requires at least two people and a lot of pre-planning. Good luck!

[bernie]

I thought it might be a pipe dream but its worth a shot..Thanks Bernie

[Mike]

Bernie;
Try putting the information you have gathered into a scatter graph.
The scatter graph can be utlized with most spreadsheet programs.
I think you will be pleased with the final results.
Good Mapping
Mike Reilly
www.mikesmaps.com

[bernie]

I am about as computor literate as a dog. So please what is a scattergraph, where can i find one,how much might i spend, and are they very easy to use....Thanks Bernie

[Mike]

Then you can plot your information onto a sheet of paper and end up with a scatter graph without using your computer. Plan on spending hours completing your project depending on how many waypoints you have accumulated.

Mike Reilly
www.mikesmaps.com

[bernie]

thanks for the info i will take this and make it a winter project, if nothing else i can just map my way points on a blown up highway map with depths and if its a hump,ridge or whateveris there ....Thanks Bernie

[bleuscreen]

See if you can find a friend who has Maptech Navigator software. If so, they have USGS maps in computer form. Use his computer and softare to help, or buy the entire program with maps on CD (what I did). You can input waypoints. And you can also run cursor over map point to learn Lat/Long instantly of any point. Then, put into your gps and test the location. My results have been super accurate.

Take a snowmobile along lakeshore (when frozen - of course). Keep entering waypoints and you will get a good outline. Contact Maptech web page for more ideas and (I think) try their demo program.

[jim c]

I have map info of stripmine lakes out in nowheresville by useing satalite maps of the area. try http://www mapquest.com or http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com

[jim c]

sorry forgot a . after the www