## Mapping Tips & Tricks
### The editor in MapRoulette is too small! How to fix this?

For new contributors, start with the MapRoulette task in Classic Mode (See 1️⃣ in photo below), which allows edits on a separate tab. You can also customize the task layout and widget sizes, and remove unwanted widgets.

[](https://i.postimg.cc/BQ2xf9Qt/Working-on-a-Maproulette-Task.png)

For many desktop users, they'll probably choose iD or Rapid as editor. See 2️⃣ in photo above. While experienced editors may probably choose JOSM, or Vespucci, for speed or extra features.

:::info
For advanced mappers using RapiD, it's possible to stay entirely within RapiD, while working with MapRoulette tasks, for a more immersive experience.

See: [Remain in RapiD while completing MapRoulette Tasks.](#Can-I-edit-tasks-without-switching-back-and-forth-from-my-editor-and-the-MapRoulette-site)
:::

Keen to know more about these advanced editors? [Chat](#I-have-other-things-in-mind-How-can-I-contact-yous) with us for a training session!

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### How to quickly switch background layers in RapiD? :medal:

Another good reason to use RapiD over iD is being able to use the period (`.`) and comma (`,`) keyboard keys to move through your starred background layer list without opening the settings. "Star"-ing certain background layers will put them on top of your list, making it faster to switch between them.


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### Should I link the feature to Wikidata ? :medal:

You're definitely welcome to do so, and while you're at it, maybe the Wikipedia entry, too?

Many third-party apps that rely on OpenStreetMap data can make the most out of these links, when they're available:

>[](https://osmapp.org/way/35354959)
>> OsmAPP displaying images, links, and attributes associated with the [Pasig River](https://osmapp.org/way/35354959)

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### How do I distinguish between a river and a stream?

The OpenStreetMap Wiki entry for [waterway=stream](https://osm.org/wiki/Tag:waterway%3Dstream) mentions a rule-of-thumb:
> a stream can be jumped across by an active, able-bodied person
> [](https://postimg.cc/w727Z9Xs)

A typical, non-athletic adult can jump between 1.5–2.5 meters. This practical threshold suggests that waterways wider than 3 meters should be tagged as `waterway=river`, while narrower waterways should be tagged as `waterway=stream`, following OpenStreetMap conventions.

You can use your editor's measuring tool, or barring that, check this related [question](#What-if-my-editor-doesnt-have-a-measuring-tool).

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### What if my editor doesn't have a measuring tool?

You can approximate the distance between two geographic points using this [tool](https://boulter.com/gps/distance/).

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### How to identify a waterway when the imagery is fuzzy, or there's cloud (or vegetation) cover?

Here are a few tips to try, but your mileage may vary:
* Try switching to another imagery provider, or variants: Bing, ESRI (Standard or Clarity), OpenAerialMap, Maxar provide imagery taken at different times (and angles) and one or the other may provide clear, usable imagery to trace a waterway segment.
* Use a topographic map layer, such as [OpenTopoMap](https://opentopomap.org), [Top-O Map](https://top-o-map.de/), [CyclOSM](https://www.cyclosm.org), or maps that include contour lines, to give you hints where to look closely. See [next](#How-to-read-contour-lines-in-topographic-maps) question.
* JOSM users can supplement their imagery with an overlay using the [Elevation plugin](https://github.com/hhtznr/JOSM-Elevation-Plugin). Check out a screenshot [here](#Whats-the-Elevation-plugin-for-JOSM-like).

If these alternatives don't work for you, it's okay to skip to your next mapping ~~task~~ excursion.

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#### How to read contour lines in topographic maps?
On topographic maps, contour lines "point" upstream when they cross a river of stream. In the image below, point "W" represents the highest elevation point flowing down to point "X":

#### The "Rule of V" in Geology
Geology's "Rule of V" help identify drainage lines and potential waterways, and the direction of their flow:

**The rule of V and U-shaped valleys.** *As a rule of thumb, the V-shaped contour is pointing upstream (the opposite direction from the flow of a stream or river). The “V” shape contours indicate streams and drainage. The apex of the inverted “V” points uphill to a higher elevation.*

>
>A river (blue) and associated contour lines. Image source: [Physical Geology Lab](https://viva.pressbooks.pub/physicalgeologylab/chapter/topographic-features/).

Here's a good, short read (or watch) on this subject: [The Rule of Vs in geological mapping](https://www.geological-digressions.com/the-rule-of-vs-in-geological-mapping/) from the Geological Digressions website.
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#### What's the Elevation plugin for JOSM like?
The image below show's JOSM's viewport while the Elevation Layer is enabled atop a satellite image, showing the geometry details of the area, and visually guiding users of the contours, valleys and peaks.


Can you see how it's potentially useful for identifying valleys and peaks? For those not using JOSM, reference maps with contour lines like OpenTopoMap, Top-O Map :heart_on_fire: , or CyclOSM.

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### What are water-related crossing tags in OSM?


Where a waterway intersects a highway, aerial (or street-level) imagery can show whether both lines share a common node (`ford=yes`), or a conduit allows water to flow through while supporting traffic above (on the waterway: `tunnel=culvert` + `layer=-1`), or a connecting structure (`bridge=yes + layer=*`) between disconnected highways that spans a wide waterway (or valley.)

:::info
The local community [received](https://github.com/OSMPH/dpwh_bridges/blob/main/README.md) permission from DPWH, to utilize their RBI dataset (see OSM-PH [#TuloyTulay bridges dataset](https://github.com/OSMPH/dpwh_bridges)), and publish the results to OSM. Raw dataset is usable and available from the repo, though the processing of the full dataset remains incomplete.
:::

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### Can you recommend a particular editor?

For convenience and features, check out the following:
* Desktop - RapiD (browser-based) or JOSM (Java-based app for advanced users)
* Android - Vespucci
* iOS - (maybe Go Map!!, but we don't have any experience with that just yet.)

The first three integrates MapRoulette Task handling internally, so it's unnecessary to switch between applications.

Technically, any general purpose editor is okay, except that editors will likely have to manage/select tasks from the browser manually.
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### Is there a tag to indicate the end-point of a stream?

There's a tag for that: [`waterway=stream_end`](https://osm.org/wiki/Tag:waterway%3Dstream_end)

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### How to map intermittent or obscured streams using DEM and visual indicators

When a DEM-derived stream model suggest a waterway that isn't visibly flowing but imagery reveals supporting evidence, you can trace and tag it as `waterway=stream` + `intermittent=yes` to accurately represent seasonal or dry-season conditions.

**Visual indicators to look for:**

**Gap in tree canopy** - Water carved a path through vegetation; trees cannot grow in wet/disturbed ground.
**Contoured or curved tree lines** - Vegetation follows the stream's meander pattern, showing historical water influence.
**Vibrant vegetation (lush growth)** - Plants thrive near groundwater or seasonal moisture, even if surface water is absent.
**Lighter-colored soil or sediment** - Exposed banks or alluvial deposits mark the channel.
**Distinct linear feature**- A depression or linear depression visible in relief or shadow.

Order 1 streams in the Strahler system are typically intermittent or ephemeral, flowing mainly during the rainy season or after rainfall. These Order 1 streams are not included as tasks in #ChasingWaterways challenge, but they are visible as headwater streams in the model.

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### The task map is gray, without the satellite imagery, and the text "map data not yet available" is displayed.


Occassionaly, Maproulette over-zooms the task map and shows a gray background and the message "Map data not yet available." It's often misleading, but try zooming out first 2️⃣, or if that doesn't work, switch to another background imagery 1️⃣.

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### Can I edit tasks without switching back-and-forth from my editor and the MapRoulette site?

Yes, this is possible with
* RapiD
* Vespucci
* JOSM, with the MapRoulette plugin

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### How to complete tasks without leaving RapiD?

###### Set the challenge id(s) in the Map Data > Maproullete tasks (1) to display the tasks (2) on the map, and display the completion window to the left of the screen (3), when a task is selected.

![](https://i.postimg.cc/mkbv2g5z/image.png "RapiD Editor with an MR Task" =70%x)

:::warning
:ladybug: Buggy Submit button, afer tapping a completion button ("i fixed it", "can't complete" ,etc.), a confirmation dialog appears , and sometimes the submit button doesn't work with one click?

See: [How to fix the janky submit button for MR integration in RapiD?](https://hackmd.io/7iEceUzQRpmtxt3iR9E7cQ#How-to-fix-the-janky-submit-button-for-MR-integration-in-RapiD)

:::

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### How to fix the janky submit button for MR integration in RapiD?


If you encounter this bug in RapiD, where the MR submit button has tao be tapped more than once, try to reset your API key:

###### In MR, tap your account profile, select User Settings, then scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for API key section, and tap the reset button. Log out of MR and Rapid, and then log back in.

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