viewshed

n. the landscape or topography visible from a geographic point, especially that having aesthetic value. Subjects: English, Environment

Etymological Note: This term is directly related to watershed ‘an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.’ The suffix -shed in both cases means, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, a “distinction, discrimination, separation (of one thing from another.”

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Citations: 1970 Oakland Tribune (California) (July 7) “Less Spoiling Route OK’d for Briones Lines” (in Martinez) p. 4E: The new route through the park will take the line out of sight about 90 per cent of the park visitors, and cut “viewshed” intrusion to 25 per cent. 1975 Joan Sweeney Los Angeles Times (Mar. 9) “Greater Recreational Use of Coast Urged” p. 1: A strict energy conservation program would be instituted, and scenic values—what the plan terms the coastal “viewshed”—would be protected with development blending into rather than dominating its natural setting. 1985 Kristina Lindgren Los Angeles Times (May 5) “Vanishing Breeds” p. 1: What we got was a fairly modest setback that at its narrowest is 100 feet and probably 700 feet at the widest.…But it keeps most of the view shed of the park intact. 2006 M. Keller @ Ocean Springs Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) (Mar. 19) “The Coast’s own Lorax”: She sows her speech with buzzwords of the movement—viewsheds, easements and takings.

Posted 27 Mar 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend