Iowa Geographic Map Server - Satellite Aerial Photography

I quite often use aerial photography as a real estate agent for many different things.  While Google Earthis an extremely popular tool you are limited in what you can learn from it.  The 2-D images are probably the most useful part of Google Earth but there is also another great option for learning about the land from the air. 

If you have intentions of buying a farm, acreage or just bare land a little research to learn about the surroundings will serve you well.  I always provide my clients with as much aerial photography as I can along with other appropriate maps that will help them determine if the particular property will serve their needs well.  I would encourage you if you are looking for farms, acreages or land for sale to also check them out on the map server to make sure you know everything about the land.

One of the most useful tools I have found is the Iowa Geographical Map Server compliments of the Iowa State University GIS Facility.  This website holds a treasure trove of information on Iowa land.  If you can't find what you are looking for here, it probably does not exist.  They continue to digitize and add additional photography all of the time, especially historic photography.  Today I noticed that the 1930's aerial photography of the farm where we live had been added.  I've been waiting for this image and was just amazed at the changes from 1937-1939 when this photo was taken until now.  I'll share both photos and you can see the amazing differences from 80 years ago to now of the farm.

The first photo was taken between 1937 and 1939 and does not have the sharpness of modern images but does give you a great idea of what the farm looked like back then.  I've been told by our neigbors that our house was moved at one time but according to this photo the home appears to be in the same location now as it was when this old photo was taken. 

The next photo was taken in 2005.  You'll notice a huge difference in the land.  Many uses have changed in the last 80 years, vegetation has dramatically changed.  In many places you see trees above, they are missing below, however below you'll see trees where they were missing above.  You'll also notice a large orchard above, that has been converted to a subdivision below.  Notice the change in road configuration.  One particular road you see running east to west from the end of our driveway above has been completely eliminated.  That was my main interest in seeing the 1930's photo.  You can see see the old roadbed which is now overgrown with trees and vegetation and has always been a curiosity to me. 

The Iowa Geographic Map Server offers much more than Google Earth can if you are doing some research.  In addition to aerial photography you'll also find

• Shaded Relief Maps
• Digital Orthophoto Quads
• Color Infrared Digital Orthophotos Quads
• Digital raster graphic (1:24,000-scale DRG)
• Digital raster graphic (1:100,000-scale DRG)
• Landcover Maps
• Iowa Historic Vegetation map
• Iowa Gap Landcover map
• 24K, 100K and 250K Topographic Maps  

Watch for our nationwide marketing on TV airing 15 times per week to over 80,000,000 homes.  Our recreational properties TV program airs on the M.A.N. Channel, The Sportsmans Channel, Fox Sports South, and The Pursuit Channel. 

CONTACT JASON     Cell Phone: 402.250.1006  Email: Jason@gowithjason.com  

Jason's Websites:  Loess Hills Land For Sale 

Whitetail Trophy Properties

Smith Auction Marketing - Iowa Auctioneer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jason Smith is a Land Specialist and Real Estate Auctioneer with Whitetail Trophy Properties.   Jason offers property listings as well as land auctions in Iowa.  As a sportsman himself Jason enjoys archery and muzzleloader hunting for whitetail deer.  In college Jason studied Fish and Wildlife Biology and specializes in rural properties only including Iowa hunting land, recreational land, farms and rural building lots.  Jason also manages over 260 acres of hunting land using QDM.  As a member of the (QDMA)   Quality Deer Management Association  he has joined ranks with whitetail enthusiasts across the United States in controlling and growing a healthy whitetail population for all to enjoy.   Jason is a member of the Iowa Auctioneers Association, National Auctioneers Association.