TOPOGRAPHY
The physical characteristics of the land determine the usability and potential of the property. By understanding the terrain shape and its features you can avoid properties that might be hard to work and unusable for what you want to do, such those with rough terrain and steep slopes.
On the other hand, you’ll be able to recognize certain advantages and benefits, such as ridges that are suitable for roads, water storage potential, microclimates…
When assessing for topography, we’ll look at:
- Property size and shape
- Topography
- Slope
You’ll want to create a mental image of the terrain that’s surrounding the property and on the property itself. Conducting this online assessment will help you with that, even before you set foot onto the property.

















Type #1 Risk Assessment:
Two things indicate you might be entering type #1 error territory when it comes to topography, namely narrow valleys and steep slopes. Narrow valleys are susceptible to flash floods and steep slopes to landslides, but the slope steepness will also determine and limit the use of the land. Any slope steeper than 18% is best left for forests.
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