A Collection of Maps of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed
Google Earth Maps
Digital maps of ECWA, Durham, and the world
ECWA now has a new set of watershed and preserve maps that utiltize the latest in internet mapping software from Google. By combining hi-resolution satellite photographs with more traditional mapping software, Google Earth provides an unprecedented vision of the earth.
There are currently three interactive maps for you to peruse.
- Ellerbe Creek - A map of Durham showing (in blue) the path of Ellerbe Creek from its headwaters to Falls Lake.
- Ellerbe Creek Watershed - A map of Durham showing (in green) an outline of the entire Ellerbe Creek Watershed.
- ECWA preserves - A map of Durham showing (in green) the outline of the the ECWA preserves
- 17 Acre Wood, Glennstone, and Pearl Mill.
NOTE: Please be aware that properties adjacent to ECWA preserves are private and, in the case of the 17 Acre Wood and Pearl Mill Preserve, there are city-owned right-of-ways within the preserve.
Using Google Earth Software on Your ComputerDownloading, Installing, and Using the program
To see these maps you will need to download the Google Earth software from Google. Go to the Google Earth Downloads web page, select your operating system and download your free copy of the software.
Once you have installed the software, you can click on any of the map links above and you will have the opportunity to save the map file on your computer or open it without saving it. [Technical note: Google Earth map files are special versions of .xml files. If your downloaded file ends up with an .xml extension (e.g., creek.xml) you can simply rename the file using the .kml extension (e.g., creek.kml)]
Please note that Google Earth is a broadband, 3D application that runs on your computer. This means that you need a DSL or cable internet connection and a powerful enough computer. Desktop computers older than 4 years old and notebook computers older than 2 years old may not be able to run Google Earth.
When you run Google Earth you will see a display similar to the one at the right. The basic navigation controls are clustered below the map and are numbered 1 through 4 in this illustration.
- Zoom - This allows you control your elevation - from a view of the entire globe to an impressive view of street-level detail.
- Rotate - These two controls allow you to rotate the map to the left or to the right.
- Tilt - This controls the amount of tilt you see on screen - from a view directly overhead to a low view across the mapped area.
- Move - These four arrow keys allow you to move in any direction.
You can turn the Preserve Name labels on and off by checking and unchecking the Feature Labels in the Places list (the box with the red header) on the left. Use the Layers list (the box with the green header) to add and remove layers such as Parks, Schools, Roads, Restaurants, etc.
Google Earth provides a comprehensive help facility but the interface is very intuitive and with only the information above most folks will quickly feel right at home with the software.
You can find out more about the program by checking out the Google Earth support page.
You may contact Carl Stearns - carl(at)ellerbecreek.org - if you have any questions about using these Google Earth files.
DOWNLOAD GOOGLE EARTH (free) HERE ==> 