It is about elevation dear reader, more or less universally defined as the number of feet above or below sea level (mean high tide).
Backyard elevation, Elevation Finder screenshot. |
I use Elevation Finder to scope out local golf courses. With mountains all about and multiple river valleys, it is often difficult to gauge direction and degree of slope by the naked eye. For example, the 18th hole at Cottonwood Hills in Bozeman appears to be an uphill climb, when it actually drops about 15 feet tee to green, because the downward slope of the valley predominates over the localized ridge. Having that knowledge is a difference of between one and two clubs, which is critically important because if you knock your approach shot over the green on the 18th you can pretty much kiss your ball good bye.
If you have an inkling to purchase property anywhere near a watercourse it's best to check out the plot with elevation finder to aid in assessing flood risk.
Along the Atlantic seaboard the tool can help you understand how vulnerable to flooding was most of the property that was damaged by super storm Sandy (and why we shouldn't be throwing public funds at restoring and protecting those properties -- the sea always wins ultimately).
Take for example the tip of Manhattan.
Here is a photo of a flooded underpass near Battery Park in the storm's aftermath.
Battery Park underpass flooded by super storm Sandy. |
Here is the same underpass high and dry.
Battery Park underpass dried out. |
Elevation finder shows the flooded roadway is but 3.538 feet above the ocean
Battery Park underpass elevation. |
It is not to wonder why.
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