BWCAW detailed maps and GPS data

What is in the data

This sample map shows campsites, portages, and a GPS track (in yellow).  I picked this area for a sample because it shows a typical navigation error that occurs in the BWCAW.  This GPS plot screen snap shot shows what this data looks like when loaded to a GPS.  The plot screen covers the same area as the sample map.  In this case the GPS is an Eagle Expedition II.  The diamond at the center of the plot represents the current position.  P105E is the portage endpoint we are going to.  P473 was the starting point.  The BRG and DIS are the bearing and distance to P105E (the next portage).

File are in OziExplorer format. The data may be converted to formats for other mapping programs such as Fugawi.  Please Email me at peteb@mailbag.com if you need other formats.  I may be able to help.

I hope to have the data available in a Macintosh format soon.  Please Email me if you a Mac user.  I am interested in which programs you use.

Use of the data

Software required to use the data

Maps required to use the data

I have a CD-ROM with complete coverage of the BWCAW available for sale.  The maps are unmodified DRG maps from the USGS.  These maps are public domain.

DRG maps are also available directly from the USGS and other sources.

Source of the data

Notes on accuracy and possible errors

• Campsites listed in the wrong location.
• Campsites listed that cannot be found.
• Campsites that exist, but are not included in the data.
• Portages not listed in the data because of human error, the work of beavers, or low water.
• Portages listed in the wrong location.

Other sources of similar data

Mapsoftware and Wildflower sell products combine maps, data and viewing software in one package.  These packages are a simpler solution but lack flexibility.  Be sure your model GPS is supported the way that you want.  Make sure the copyrights will not be a problem.

As of this writing I do not know of any printed maps for the BWCAW that have coordinate grids that would allow you to use the maps with a GPS.

How the data are split up

Data describing portages are available in full and reduced forms. Reduced portage line files have the number of points in the lines reduced. This reduces the data size significantly, but, makes the lines less smooth. The reduced lines are always within 100 meters of the unreduced line and the points in the line are never changed. Ends of portages are always unmodified. Portage endpoint data are reduced by dropping portage endpoints that are within 250 meters of another portage endpoint.  The reduced portage endpoint data are much easier to read when printed on maps.  Many portages in the BWCAW are short.  Waypoints tend to get printed on top of one another and become unreadable.   The programs used to reduce the data are available in case you wish to reduce the data sets using your own parameters.

Data are also split according to feature type. Portages, portage endpoints, and campsites are stored in separate files. The following table lists the names of the data files by region.
 

DATA/REGION	Saganaga Lake	Grand Marais	Basswood Lake	Ely	Crain Lake	Vermilion Lake
Portage lines unreduced	sag.plt	grand.plt	bass.plt	ely.plt	crain.plt	verm.plt
Portage lines reduced	sag_r.plt	grand_r.plt	bass_r.plt	ely_r.plt	crain_r.plt	verm_r.plt
Portage end waypoints unreduced	sagpe.wpt	grandpe.wpt	basspe.wpt	elype.wpt	crainpe.wpt	vermpe.wpt
Portage end waypoints reduced	sagper.wpt	grandper.wpt	bassper.wpt	elyper.wpt	crainper.wpt	vermper.wpt
Campsites in waypoint form	sagc.wpt	grandc.wpt	bassc.wpt	elyc.wpt	crainc.wpt	vermc.wpt
Campsites in event form	sagc.evt	grandc.evt	bassc.evt	elyc.evt	crainc.evt	vermc.evt

Still too much data?

Using OziExplorer or other mapping programs with waypoint editors.

• OziExplorer will allow you to load more waypoints or events than your GPS will support. Select File-Configure-GPS and then change the number of waypoints or events. I suggest 1000 for both waypoints and events to start.
• Load the data files for the region that you are interested in.
• View the waypoint list.
• Note that all data are listed west to east. Select any data that you do not need then delete it.
• For example if your trip is in east end of a region, select and delete the data at the start of the list that is not part of your trip.
• Make up a new file name to store your reduced data set. Save the data in that file.

Using a text editor

• Open the waypoint or event with a editor.  The files are in ASCII text format so they can be opened with most editor or word processors.  DOS edit or Microsoft Windows notepad work well for this purpose.
• Note that all data are stored west to east.
• Figure out the west most and east most longitude for your trip. Note that the longitudes in the data are in decimal format. -90.5 is the same as west 90 degrees 30 minutes.
• Edit the data files to cut out any unneeded data. You can edit the data files with any text editor. Be sure not to change the first few lines of the file before the start of the data. Save your reduced data in a file with a new name.

Loading data from more than one region

Why the waypoints do not have meaningful names

The comment field in portage endpoint waypoint files contain the length of the portages in meters and rods. The measure in rods may not be the same as shown on commercial printed maps. The portage lengths are calculated from the portage line data. The lengths accurately reflect the length of the portage lines. These lengths can be different from the traditional rod measures shown on commercial maps. Note that the length of portages can change a lot with changes in water level and beaver activity.

Making paper maps

The first step to making a printed map  to load map data onto your mapping program.

• Load a USGS DRG map into your mapping program. I start with a 1:100,000 scale map.
• Load the portage line file. For the purpose of a printing maps I use the full unreduced data.
• Adjust the color and width of the lines to your choosing. I use red and two pixels.
• Load the campsites as events. It doesn't matter if your GPS doesn't support events, we are just working on the printed maps now. Adjust the color and icon type to your choosing. There is no color or display information sorted in the data files. The easiest way to control the way the data are displayed is to change the defaults in your mapping program.
• Load the reduced portage endpoint data. Adjust the color and icons.
• Look at the areas you will be traveling and see if there any waypoints you would like to add. You may want extra waypoints on big lakes to help navigate. Think about the route you will paddle and add waypoints at points you need to turn on or at the inlets or channels you need to find.

Print the map. This can be tricky and requires some trial and error to get a formula that will work with your printer. I have a HP desk top Ink jet printer and find the following formula produces good results with OziExplorer and 1:100,000 maps.
 

• Zoom to 25%
• Display the area to be printed
• Use the print window to scale (1:100,000) function
• Print landscape on 8.5 by 14 inch paper (legal size)
• Each window should print on one sheet of paper, but, this depends upon your screen size. Adjust the zoom level if the printout takes more than one sheet of paper or does not fill the paper.
• Print in "normal" quality mode.
• Select more areas and print as necessary

• Zoom to 25%
• Display the top third of the map.
• Use the print window to scale (1:36,680) function. I like to print 1:24,000 maps at 1:36,680 because I can fit a single map on three sheets of legal size paper.
• Print landscape on 8.5 by 14 inch paper (legal size)
• Each window should print on one sheet of paper. Adjust the zoom level if this does not work out as described above.
• Print in "normal" quality mode.
• Display and the middle and bottom of the map in the same manner.

Saturate the maps with Thompson's Water Seal to make the maps water resistant.  This product is available at most hardware stores.
 

Using the data with mapping programs other Than OziExplorer.

Waypoints - g7to -i sagc.wpt -o sagc.fwp

Tracks - g7to -i sag.plt -o sag.trk

G7to can also be used to upload data to your GPS receiver. You can then download the data into the mapping program you are using..

Tips for specific brands of GPS receivers

Lowrance/Eagle products support waypoints and events, but do not support portage lines. I load portage endpoint waypoints and campsites as events for the areas I will be visiting. The campsites will show on the receivers plot screen. You cannot navigate directly to an event, but you can move the cursor over the icon and do a go to cursor. This is an effective way to navigate to campsites.

I have never used a Magellan receiver with a data connection so I cannot make specific suggestions for these units. OziExplorer should be able to load waypoints to the Magellan receivers.  Magellan calls waypoints landmarks.  Same thing with a different name.

Using your maps and GPS in the BWCAW

I cannot stress enough that you need to know how to use a map and compass to travel in the BWCAW. The GPS will tell you where you are and give you a direct bearing to your next waypoint, but, will not tell you which way to point the boat or if there a land mass you must paddle around. There are no signs in the BWCAW marking portages or pointing the direction to the next lake.

That being said, the GPS makes navigation much easier. GPS will tell you where you are allowing you to use the map and compass to figure out where to go with confidence. The GPS gives bearings and distances that make looking for campsites or portages easy. This can reduce the need to figure bearings using the protractor on the compass. If you do get confused about your position, the GPS will help you "recalibrate".

I have found that using a GPS during my outdoor travels have made me much better at using topographic maps even without a GPS. With a GPS I can first try to find my position on a map using visual reference and then confirm my position with the receiver. This sort of feedback makes the learning process much faster. An other reason why I suggest using the map first, compass second and GPS third.
 

Download

Please note the data files are copyrighted.  You may use and redistribute the data for any noncommercial purpose as long as you also distribute the original "readme.txt" file.

Download bwcaw01.exe

Please Email me at peteb@mailbag.com if you have questions.  I would also appreciate any feedback about use of this data whether successful or not.