Testing

These are "best guess" elevation lines from DEM data, accurate to 1 meter but not confirmed against the real world. More accurate data will be surveyed in the field in the spring of 2008 (see "detailed survey" below).

Added color to show high and low points. Lowest Point (white) has an elevation of about 850 feet; highest point (dk. brown) about 920 feet.

Based on observation and contour maps; suffice to say water primarily flows from west to east and along the contour of the road from north to south. The east-most area of the property holds seasonal ponds and can be considered a wetland.

May not be perfectly aligned to solar south, and does not show sun elevations; still gives a good idea of solar gain and the impact of large trees on garden sites and photovoltaic panels.

The Bellaire area has fairly low speed wind, driving from the north (cooling summer and bitter cold winter) through the west (our primary exposure) and the south (well blocked by the mature hardwood forest to the south).

Thick yellow lines show property bounds; thin yellow lines show 35' and 50' setbacks. orange dotted lines show other property lines in the area.

From major access points (the road, clearly, as well as the 2-tracks and horse trails) to minor animal trails, this shows the primary circulation routes on the property, and will serve as a guide in our design. Notice how this layer lines up with the aerial and the vegetation map.

Just two types of soils, characterized by coarse-textured glacial till, non-sorted glacial debris; dominantly sandy clay loam, sandy loam, or loamy sand texture, sporadic occurrence of non-sorted clayey or silty lenses; variable amounts of cobbles and boulders. (from Antrim County website)

A mix here of second growth maple, beech and oak with large areas of red pine planted as logging income, some old and neglected orchard trees, and plenty of poplar growing in the wetter areas. We're also treated to the presence of a small oak grove and an old (but ailing) American Chestnut.

Just two built objects on the land so far: an old cistern (from the former homestead around the turn of the last century or slightly later) and the pump we installed to have the water tested (note the presence of the dump on the Boundary & Setbacks layer.

Again, not sure that this lines up exactly right with true (solar) south — we'll know more once we're able to get out with our ersatz surveying crew. The property is 9.2 acres, roughly 700' wide at the base and just under 1100' from north to south.