The map shows icons for different kinds of artifacts (such as photographs and documents) as well as displaced communities and dams. Clicking on an icon will show the artifact, community, or dam, as well as information about that item. A number icon represents multiple items in the same location; click the number to see more.

You can zoom in/out and pan around the map using your mouse, trackpad, fingers (on a mobile device), or the +-/- icons in the top left. If you want to zoom back out, click on the globe icon at the top of the screen.

The time slider at the bottom adjusts the current historical view of artifacts, communities, or dams.

Click on the compass icon on the left to open the Navigation panel, which allows you to change what is visible on the map.

Use the “Show” section to choose different kinds of items to show on the map. You can also display different geographic outlines; clicking on that outline will zoom the map into that region, basin, or project.

Use the “Filter by” section to see items with a particular theme or with a keyword that you enter in the search box.

Use the “Overlays” section to choose available maps, aerial images, and other information to display on top of the map.

Click on the lightbulb icon on the right to open the Information panel, which provides access to data and interpretations.

The “Information” section shows quantitative data for the current map view. Selecting a specific region, basin, project, or place will show the data for that specific area. Moving the time slider will also change the data in the information panel.

The “Interpretation” section provides brief historical interpretations relevant to the current map view. Clicking on the title of the interpretation will open a pop-up box with that narrative.

The “Media” section shows thumbnails of all the artifacts on the current map view. Clicking on a thumbnail will open that item.

At the top of the map, you can select different regions, basins, projects (dams), or places (displaced communities). Selecting a region, basin, project, or place will zoom the map to that area and show only the artifacts, overlays, information, and interpretations for that area.

To reset the view, click on the swirl icon.

To return to the home page, click on the Atlas of Drowned Towns icon. To access other parts of the site, use the “Menu.”

If you’d like to see the orientation again, click on the question mark icon at the top of the screen.

If you have questions, please use our Contact Us page.