Hydrographic Charts, Bathymetric Maps and Aeronautical Charts

Hydrographic Charts

Hydrographic charts (also known as marine charts or nautical charts) map the surface waters of the Earth, thereby providing a valuable tool for marine navigation. They show the depth of water, position of coastlines, channels, reefs, and shoals and provide information on tides, currents and winds.

VPL maintains a collection of current hydrographic charts of B.C., most of the Arctic and some parts of Alberta and Ontario.

VPL does not keep current copies of U.S. marine charts.

Unlike most maps, individual Canadian charts do not include legends. To understand the symbols and abbreviations used on the charts, you must consult Chart 1 - Symbols, Abbreviations & Terms. You will find this in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 under Canada - Hydrographic Charts, Chart 1. There is also a copy in the atlas area: Ref. 912.0148 S98c. Or look at the website: Tips on Reading your Nautical Chart.

Hydrographic Charts of Canada

Scale varies by chart.

Access: The index sheet for B.C. charts is in Filing Cabinet Drawer H21. For other parts of Canada, indexes are in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

Canada - Hydrographic Charts

Location:

B.C. charts are in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawers H1 - H7
Other Canadian charts are in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawers H8 - H13

Bathymetric Maps

Bathymetric maps measure and map the depths of oceans, seas and other large bodies of waters. VPL has comprehensive coverage of B.C. and partial coverage of other parts of Canada and the world.

Bathymetric Maps of Canada - Natural Resource Maps Series
Scale: 1:250,000
Series covers all of B.C. and partially covers other parts of Canada.

Access: Index sheet is in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled: