Map Navigation
The DepthMap interface provides clear controls for exploring water wells across the country. This guide covers the essential navigation techniques to help you find and view well data efficiently.
Quick Start: Find Wells Near an Address
- Enter address in the search box at top of map
- Press Enter or click the search icon
- Map centers on location and zooms in
- Click well markers to view details
- Click View Well Log for full construction report
Use GPS coordinates (e.g., "43.0731, -89.4012") for precise locations. The search box accepts coordinates, addresses, city names, and ZIP codes.
Step-by-Step Workflow
- Enter address in the search box at top of map
- Press Enter or click the search icon
- Map centers on location and zooms in
- Click well markers to view details
- Click View Well Log for full construction report
Basic Navigation
Panning the Map
Click and drag anywhere on the map to pan in any direction. On touch devices, use one finger to drag the map. The map smoothly follows your movements, allowing you to explore any area.
Zooming
Multiple options exist for adjusting the map zoom level:
- Mouse wheel - Scroll up to zoom in, scroll down to zoom out
- Pinch gesture - On touch devices, pinch to zoom out and spread to zoom in
- Zoom buttons - Use the +/- buttons in the corner of the map
- Double-click - Double-click anywhere to zoom in on that location
The map supports zoom levels from viewing the entire country down to individual street level.
Searching for Locations
Address Search
The search box at the top of the map accepts:
- Full addresses - "123 Main Street, Madison, WI"
- City and state - "Milwaukee, Wisconsin"
- ZIP codes - "53703"
- Coordinates - "43.0731, -89.4012"
Type your search and press Enter or click the search icon. The map centers on the found location and zooms to an appropriate level.
Current Location
Click the GPS icon to center the map on your current location. Your browser will request permission to access location data. Once granted, a marker shows your position and the map zooms to show wells in your immediate area.
This feature requires location permissions in your browser settings.
Viewing Well Information
Well Markers
Wells appear as markers on the map. As you zoom in, individual well markers become visible. At wider zoom levels, wells are grouped into clusters showing the count of wells in that area.
Opening Well Details
Click any well marker to open an information panel showing:
- Well ID - The unique identifier for this well
- Total Depth - How deep the well was drilled
- Construction Date - When the well was installed
- Owner - Property owner at time of construction
- Address - Location of the well
- Well Type - Domestic, commercial, irrigation, etc.
Viewing Well Logs
From the well detail panel, click "View Well Log" to see the original construction report. Well logs include detailed information about:
- Formation layers encountered during drilling
- Casing depths and specifications
- Static water level
- Pump information
- Driller notes and observations
Map Controls
Stats Badge
The badge in the corner shows the count of wells currently visible on the map at the current zoom level and location.
Fullscreen Mode
Click the fullscreen button to expand the map to fill your entire browser window. Press Escape or click the button again to exit fullscreen mode.
Export
The export button downloads a CSV file containing data for all wells currently visible on the map. Use this to analyze well data in spreadsheet applications.
Tips for Efficient Navigation
- Start zoomed out to get an overview of well density in a region
- Use address search to jump directly to specific properties
- Click clusters to drill down into areas with many wells
- Combine with layers to see wells in context with parcel boundaries
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Arrow keys | Pan map in corresponding direction |
| + / - | Zoom in / out |
| Escape | Close panels or exit fullscreen |
| Double-click | Zoom in on location |
Troubleshooting
Search not finding address?
- Try a more specific address with city and state
- Use ZIP code instead
- Enter GPS coordinates directly
Current location not working?
- Allow location permission when browser prompts
- Check browser privacy settings
- Ensure location services are enabled on device
Wells not appearing?
- Zoom in closer to see individual markers
- Enable Well Logs layer in bottom toolbar
- Check if area has well data coverage
Related Topics
- Map Layers - Toggle wells and parcels
- Map Tools - Measure and estimate geology
- Understanding Well Data - What's in a well log
- DepthMap Overview - Features and pricing