Steep Slopes

Due to all of its hills and valleys Eaton is characterized by many areas with steep and very steep slopes.  Slope is the amount of vertical rise between two points divided by their horizontal separation.  A 20% slope, for example, would mean an elevation change of 20 feet over 100 feet of horizontal distance.  Slopes are considered steep when they are between 15% and 25% and are very steep when they are over 25%.  Both lead to potential problems with erosion and storm water runoff.  Roughly 70% of the land surface in Eaton has steep or very steep slopes.  Less steep areas are located mainly in the valley bottoms and a few isolated plateaus.

The Eaton Zoning Ordinance requires Planning Board approval for any development on steep or very steep slopes.  The interactive map below shows very steep slopes in red and steep slopes in yellow-green.  As you zoom in the map will also shows property boundaries.