Determining Slope

Slope

• What it is: Slope refers to the steepness of the land surface.
• What it means: The slope of land is a major factor in determining:
• Land Use
• Erosion
• Volume and rate of runoff
• Potential for growing crops
• Leveling needed to build structures.

• Calculation:  [(Vertical Distance)/(Horizontal Distance)]  ×100= % Slope
• Vertical Distance (Rise): The difference in elevation between two points; it is calculated by subtracting the elevation of one point from the elevation of the other point.
• Horizontal Distance (Run): The distance from one point to the other.

·Example: If the rise is 3 feet over the run of 50 feet:

(3/50) = 0.06

0.06X100 = 6%

Practice Problems

•Stakes have been set 40 feet apart. There is a two foot rise from stake two to stake one. Determine the percent slope.
•At a different site, two stakes have been set 60 feet apart. There is an 18” elevation change between the stakes. Determine the percent slope