A new stream mapping app has been just released by Gogal Publishing designed to help outdoor enthusiasts better enjoy our regional waterways. Streams Map USA for iPhone and iPad are apps that provide a complete set of regional maps to locate, evaluate conditions, navigate and manage thousands of different streams. The first release of the Northeast Region covers all of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and the rest of New England. I had chance to use Streams Map USA and kick it around with a few places that I like to fly fish.
I found the screen easy to view, due to a new idea that Gogal Publishing is using in varying stream colors, instead of just the singular blue line that we always get on every map. A clever idea to help differentiate the main stream and its tributaries I liked the multiple choices of base maps, which included: Road, Satellite, Hybrid, USGS Topo, and OpenStreetMap.
I was quickly able to search for some known streams. The app is very detailed with results based on state or county level. When searching for Muddy Creek, I soon learned there were over a half dozen Muddy Creeks and branches located in Pennsylvania. Who knew?
Personal waypoint locations can be created, named and stored. The use of my iPhone’s built-in GPS identified my current location and provided an indication of miles to either the waypoints or streams. For example, this also can be used to mark the location of your car before heading out for long day fishing on the water or a canoe trip.
Too often I am in an area where there is either no or poor cell coverage. What I liked best was the “browse and store” functionality for offline use. This enables use and GPS navigation - even with no cell service.For turn-by-turn navigation, it was as simple as selecting one of my waypoints and tapping Go. The Streams Map USA flipped me over into the Apple Maps, then let me select my current location and started my route to Muddy Creek.
In addition, the Streams Map USA incorporates the USGS Water Information System for water levels and gages. I simply tapped on an USGS Station and tapped the info icon to discover the current conditions for that site displayed within the app.
Both the Northeast and West Coast Editions of Stream Map USA are now available on the AppStore for the introductory price of $8.99. A third edition is also well under way, which will cover the eastern coastal states from Maryland to Florida. This edition should be available in mid-October 2015. Gogal Publishing is hoping to have the entire US completed by mid-2016 and Android apps out shortly.
