Please note that the Measure Distance & Area tool is only available in the following mapping applications:

AFO Siting Atlas
Basic Map
Livestock Burial Zones
Recreation Map
Water Monitoring Atlas
Watershed Atlas

Also note that the Area measurement value (ACRES) will only display if you have "MILES" set as your distance units (it is by default). All other units of measurement will not return a value for Area (ACRES).

1. Place your mouse over the Measure Distance & Area icon , wait, and a small pop-up message will tell you the function of the icon.

2. Click the icon. A thin red line will appear around the icon that looks like this:

A small window in the upper left corner of your Interactive Map will appear that looks like this:

If you want to change the distance units then click the Set Units button.

3. Move your mouse cursor to the Interactive Map. The cursor will change from a white pointer arrow to a thin black cross.

4. Click your left mouse button to create a starting point from which to measure from. A red dot is placed on your map to signify the starting point. Look at the image below:

5. Move your mouse over the Interactive Map to start measuring from that starting point. Notice that when you move the mouse along the Interactive Map your "Segment" portion in the Measure window is fluctuating. This tells you the distance of your segment from the first starting point. As you move your cursor around this distance changes according to the position of your cursor relevant to the starting point.

Note that at any time you want to start over measuring, you should click the Clear Selection button, and start measuring again.

6. When you find the place you want to measure to, click your left mouse button to set the second point. Notice that when you create a second measuring point, the "Total" portion in the Measure window calculates the distance between the points. The "Segment" portion will be reset to "0" until you move the mouse again. Look below to see what it looks like after creating your second point:

7. To create a third point, move your mouse to another part of the Interactive Map and click again. Notice the "Total" portion in the Measure window increases. It is measuring the distance from the starting point to the second point to the third point. The "Segment" portion resets again to "0" and measures distance interactively from the last point created.

Also, notice the red dotted line on the Interactive Map. This is enclosing the distance lines created thus far into an area, and is computing acres in the "Area" value box every time you create a new point. Look below to see the map after creating a a few points and distance lines:

You can create as many points as you want. Look below to see a continuation of the above examples with 6 points created along a route:

8. To clear the Interactive Map and start measuring again, or to finish using the Measure tool, click the Clear Selection button.

Note that distance and area measurements on the IDNR Interactive Mapping website are not survey accurate. The tool has tested and passed an acceptable level of accuracy, but for formal measuring, the user should consult survey grade equipment.