What are spot elevations typically used to indicate?

Spot elevations are specific points marked on a plan or map that indicate the exact elevation at a specific location. They are often used in site design and topographical maps to represent key geographical points on a site, such as the highest or lowest points in a terrain or important features like building corners or road intersections. By providing precise elevation information, spot elevations help in understanding the overall topography, which is crucial for effective landscape planning, drainage design, and establishing a basis for other design elements.

In contrast, while average rainfall data could be relevant in certain analyses, it is not the purpose of spot elevations. Similarly, elevation changes related to hydrology would involve broader analysis rather than pinpointing exact elevation at single locations, which is not the primary function of spot elevations. Lastly, while indicating utility locations may be important in site planning, spot elevations themselves do not denote such information, as they focus primarily on surface elevation rather than subsurface features.