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How to visit a confluence (step-by-step)

Confluence Hunting Checklist

  1. Select a confluence: You can find confluences using the Search page or from the Country Index list or via the Worldwide Confluence Navigator page.
  2. Check the status: for the confluence you're planning on visiting:
  3. Let Us Know: Create an account or log in to your existing account and create a confluence plan. From the plans page (log in required) you can create plans to visit a confluence, or ask to receive e-mail when other people make plans or submit visits. If two people visit the same confluence, both visits will be posted.
  4. Maps: The first step is finding a good map of the area. If you don't have a GPS (global positioning system) receiver , the map must be extremely detailed, such as a 1:24,000 (sometimes 1:25,000) USGS topo map, or a map program such as Street Atlas USA, or a map from a good internet mapping site (see the links page). If you have a GPS, you'll still need a decent map to get you in the general vicinity, and then you can zero in on the confluence with the GPS. It is very helpful to know the length of your stride through varied terrain.
  5. Compass: A compass is recommended even if you have a GPS. You should never rely solely on a GPS device for navigation - always carry a map and compass, and have the skills to use them. Also, some GPS receivers will only give bearing information while you are in motion. Remember that true north and magnetic north are often different, sometimes substantially. This amount changes depending on your longitude and the year. Most USGS topo maps will state the amount of the magnetic deviation for the year they were published.
  6. Get Permission: If the confluence is located on private land, get permission of the landowner, especially if the land is posted "No Trespassing". Take along a copy of the Letter to Landowners to help with this.
  7. Accuracy:
  8. Cameras: A camera is of course required. Photo images that you upload during your visit submission must meet or exceed a resolution of 600 by 400 pixels (or 400 by 600), with a 16-bit or greater color depth. This applies whether you are using a digital camera, scans of pictures from a film camera, or frame captures from a video camera. Many film developers will scan the film onto a disk or CDROM when you get the film developed. We will scan already developed film, or you may send the undeveloped film to us and we will develop and scan it for you, but in either case we will keep the film for the archives. If required, we will automatically reduce images you submit to us when we process your confluence visit submission, so we want you to submit "full sized" images, subject to our maximum file size limitation, which is 2 megabytes per file. Neither the above minimum specifications, nor what you see when viewing a confluence visit page, are our required or suggested image size.
  9. Pictures of?

    Unless you possess an advanced GPS, you typically can't achieve better than around 5 meter accuracy, so pinpointing the confluence spot with personal items is not very meaningful, and introduces elements that are not normally at the confluence. Try to have your pictures give the same impression you got when you were there. It is optional to take a picture of the GPS reading the confluence location. Taking a picture of the GPS may be easier if you place it on the ground. We prefer you do not annotate the photos of the confluence, including date/time stamps. Please read our Copyrights/Permissions section and Photo Requirements section.

  10. Narrative: When you submit your visit, you will have to supply a narrative. Please read our Narrative Requirements.
  11. At the confluence:
  12. When you get home: Create a "Visited but not submitted" Plan. You can log in to your existing account and change your "plan to visit" Plan, so others will know you have made your visit.
  13. Submit your visit: Once you have everything ready, use the submission form to submit your confluence visit. You will need: We have a How to submit a confluence visit page with examples of all the steps involved in the submission process.