From the U.S. Geological Survey:
The new maps are part of the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Mapping Initiative, to update foundational data for the state and to replace the existing maps that are about 50 years old.
The first 400-plus new US Topo maps for Alaska are now accessible and are the beginning of a multi-year project, ultimately leading to more than 11,000 new maps for the entire state. The goal of the AMI is the production of a complete series of digital topographical maps at a scale of 1:25,000 to replace the 1:63,360-scale maps produced about 50 years ago.
The maps will be published in digital PDF format (GeoPDF) and are available for free download and manipulation on a computer.
These new maps include several layers, with an option for the user to turn them on or off. Major updated features include:
- Satellite image layers which allows a recent view of the earth’s surface.
- Contours and shaded relief layers showing the lay of the land derived from newly acquired 5-meter radar elevation data.
- Surface water features from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, which are updated by local stewards and USGS.
- Glaciers updated using Randolph Glacier Inventory data.
- Boundaries integrated from multiple sources, including Census and major Federal landholders.
- The Public Land Survey System layer from the Bureau of Land Management.
- Roads from a commercial vendor under a USGS contract.
- Railroads and the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline data from local sources.
- Important buildings including police stations, schools, and hospitals.
- Airports, heliports and seaplane landing strips compiled by USGS from multiple sources.
- Feature names from the USGS-maintained Geographic Names Information System.
Direct to New Topographical Maps (via U.S. National Map Web Site)
Direct to USGS Alaska Mapping Initiative Web Site
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