Developing a New Visitor Map of Glacier Bay, Alaska

The article "Developing a New Visitor Map of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska" was written by Tom Patterson of the US National Park Service. The article describes the process that the HFC Publications Program in Harpers Ferry, WVa went through when they revised the present map of Glacier Bay NP. Visiting the part was an approach the cartographers took in order to understand the vastness of the area.
Just a few of the issues discussed:
1) contemplation on whether to use an entirely new map focusing only on Glacier Bay proper and ignoring the vast hinterland of the part where cruise ships do not go
2) making the map with larger type and more vivid colors because many of the passengers on the ships are elderly
3) including a map of the entire part at a small scale plus a large-scale inset of only the bay
4) deleting a whatle story from the old map because it was deemed passe'
5) replacing the cover photo because the present one was thought to be inappropriate
Challenges faced fell into three catagories:
1) incomplete data, poor quality data, and mapping an ever-changing natural environment
Shaded relief was derived from digital elevation models obtained from the USGS Seamless Data Server and elevation data from Space Shuttle Radar Topography (SRTM). Landcover problems that emerged presented several problems:
1) finding suitable landcover data because the only available data stopped abruptly at the park boundary
2) the USGS landcover was at 80m resolution, too coarse for presenting on a map
3) the complex landcover interfered with the shaded relief
Other items discussed were the Glaciers and how they required showing recent and accurate info
Bathymetry was an idea that attempted to display the terrestrial and undersea topography as extensions of one another. A few rivers appeared on the map and by showing these continually changing rivers, the map revelas major characteristics of glacial landscapes.
The final map attempted to show much more. Along with a small reference map of the entire park and an enlarged inset of the bay, it contains thematic maps and text intended to explain to visitors the glacial process that formed the bay. The primary goal of the map was to broaden and deepen the experience of visiting this remote wilderness.
In my opinion, the goals of the Park Service were accomplished producing a wonderful product. I had no idea how much effort went into seeking to better meet the needs of visitors. It is also impressive that the map can be used with other media such as an interactive web map and fly-through animation. And to think that in coming years, the process will be evaluated and filled with periodic updates.
For more information on National Park Service Maps, visit the following link:

http://www.nps.gov/carto