The Rill Catalog

A homeowner in Portland evaluating rooftop solar runs t-01 for their address in December and June. December shows 8.6 hours of daylight with the sun peaking at 21° altitude—low enough that a neighboring two-story house could cast significant shadow. June shows 15.5 hours at 65° altitude. The optimal tilt is 35°. Combined with t-03-elevation-slope, this surfaces whether the roof pitch already approximates the ideal angle.

A prospective buyer evaluating 5 acres outside Eugene, Oregon queries t-02 and finds Jory silty clay loam—well-drained, pH 5.8, high organic matter. This is prime Willamette Valley agricultural soil. Stack with cu-05-soil-requirements to match crops to this specific profile, or with vl-01-property-valuation to understand whether the land is priced as farmland or development potential. The soil doesn't change, but its meaning does depending on the question.

A trail designer scouting a ridge route in the Columbia River Gorge queries t-03 at waypoints along the proposed path. One segment returns 34° slope facing north. That's steep enough to require switchbacks, and the north aspect means snow lingers longer in spring. Combined with t-02-soil-profile (erosion-prone loess soils on steep slopes) and h-08-precipitation-tracker (heavy winter rainfall), this surfaces a drainage challenge that the trail design needs to address.

A well driller in the San Juan Islands queries t-04 and finds Paleocene-age sedimentary sandstone—a relatively good aquifer rock. Combined with h-06-groundwater-level and t-02-soil-profile, this helps estimate drilling depth and likely yield. The geology doesn't tell you how much water you'll get, but it tells you what kind of rock the drill will hit.

An environmental consultant checking a proposed development site east of Seattle queries t-05 across the parcel boundary. The northern half returns "Deciduous Forest" (NLCD 41), the southern half "Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands" (NLCD 95). That wetland classification triggers a requirement for vt-03-environmental-justice and cv-04-property-regulations to check for protected status before any grading plans are drawn.

A developer scouting lots in Tacoma queries t-06 for a corner parcel and finds it's zoned R-2 (low-density residential) at 7,200 sq ft. Stack with cv-01-zoning-lookup for setback requirements and vl-04-comparable-sales for recent nearby transactions. The parcel's zoning may allow a duplex, but the lot size relative to setbacks is the constraint that matters—a signal only visible when you layer legal shape onto physical shape.

A homebuyer looking at property near Sisters, Oregon queries t-07 with a 30km radius and finds 4 fires within the last 20 years, including the 2017 Milli Fire (24,079 acres). The most recent burned within 5km of the property in 2020. Combined with t-05-land-cover (showing dense forest regrowth) and vl-05-insurance-risk, this surfaces a signal that fire insurance costs for this location may be significant—and that defensible space planning should be part of any purchase calculation.

A structural engineer assessing a retrofit project in downtown Seattle queries t-08 and finds 47 events above M3.0 within 100km over the past 20 years, with the largest at M4.6. The hazard summary reads "moderate seismic activity with frequent minor events." Stack with sm-02-seismic-hazard for probabilistic PGA values and sm-04-liquefaction-risk for soil behavior under shaking. The event history alone is informative; the composition tells you whether the building code assumptions are conservative enough.

An astronomer planning a dark-sky trip from Portland queries t-09 at three candidate sites: Government Camp (Bortle 5, suburban sky), Prineville Reservoir (Bortle 3, rural sky), and Hart Mountain (Bortle 2, pristine dark). Stack with co-10-astrophotography-planner for tonight's best targets and a-10-cloud-forecast for whether you'll actually see them. The Bortle class tells you the ceiling on what's possible; the weather tells you whether tonight's the night.

A family considering a home near SeaTac airport queries t-10 and finds estimated 68 dB(A) from airport proximity—above the 65 dB threshold where the FAA recommends sound insulation. The noise source list shows the airport at 2.3km and I-5 at 0.8km. Stack with sn-01-ambient-noise for HowLoud's independent assessment and vl-01-property-valuation to check whether noise is already priced into the market. What sounds like a bargain may have a sonic reason.

A runner in Portland checks t-11 on an August morning and finds AQI 165 (Unhealthy), dominant pollutant PM2.5—wildfire smoke from eastern Oregon. The health guidance recommends avoiding prolonged outdoor exertion. Combined with a-05-wind-rose (showing easterly winds) and t-07-wildfire-history (confirming active fires to the east), this surfaces why today's air is bad and how long it might last based on forecast wind shifts.

A surveyor working near Spokane queries t-12 and finds declination of 15.2° East—meaning magnetic north is 15 degrees clockwise from true north. Without this correction, a compass bearing of 0° would actually point N15E, accumulating error over distance. Combined with t-03-elevation-slope for terrain context and c-01-base-terrain for map orientation, this ensures field measurements align with the coordinate system.

A farmer in the Skagit Valley checks a-01 before deciding whether to irrigate. Temperature is 78°F, humidity 35%, wind 15 km/h from the south. Combined with a-02-seven-day-forecast showing no rain for 5 days and h-05-drought-monitor showing D1 conditions, this surfaces a signal that irrigation is needed now despite recent rains—the evapotranspiration rate is outpacing soil moisture.

An outdoor event planner in Seattle checks a-02 for a Saturday farmers market setup. The forecast shows 40% precipitation probability with highs of 58°F. Stack with a-04-precipitation-radar the morning of for real-time rain tracking. The 7-day view helps decide whether to rent the tent; the radar on the day helps decide when to set up.

A viticulturist evaluating a site in the Willamette Valley pulls a-03 for the past 10 years. Climate normals show an average growing season of 180 days with 2,400 growing degree days—within the range for Pinot Noir. But the trend line reveals warming: the last 5 years average 12% more GDD than the first 5. Combined with t-02-soil-profile (well-drained volcanic soils) and t-03-elevation-slope (south-facing hillside), this surfaces a picture of a site that's becoming more viable for later-ripening varieties than traditional planting guides suggest.

A construction foreman in Olympia checks a-04 at 6am and sees a precipitation band moving northeast at roughly 20km/h, currently 40km to the southwest. Estimated arrival: 2 hours. Stack with a-02-seven-day-forecast which shows the system clearing by afternoon. The radar says when to tarp the concrete pour; the forecast says when to uncover it.

An architect designing a home on the Oregon coast queries a-05 with 365 days of data. The wind rose shows dominant SW winds at 25-40 km/h from October through March, shifting to NW at 10-20 km/h in summer. This surfaces design implications: the southwest face needs the most weather protection, and natural ventilation strategies should leverage the summer NW breeze. Stack with t-03-elevation-slope to understand whether terrain provides any natural wind shelter.

A school planning outdoor field day in Bend, Oregon checks a-06 and finds UV index peaking at 10 ("very high") between 11am and 2pm. The hourly forecast shows it dropping to "moderate" by 3pm. Combined with a-10-cloud-forecast showing afternoon clouds building, this helps schedule the most exposed activities for early morning and late afternoon, with indoor options during the solar peak.

A biodynamic gardener near Ashland, Oregon checks a-07 before transplanting. The waning crescent at 12% illumination suggests a root-day in biodynamic practice. Combined with cu-01-growing-calendar (confirming the frost-free window) and t-02-soil-profile (verifying adequate drainage for the intended root crop), the moon phase adds a traditional timing layer to modern soil science.

A landscape photographer in Olympic National Park checks a-08 for tomorrow. Sunset at 7:42pm, civil twilight ends at 8:14pm—that's the golden hour window. Astronomical twilight ends at 9:48pm, which is when true darkness begins for Milky Way shooting. Combined with a-10-cloud-forecast and t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 2 in the park), this produces a precise shooting schedule for both sunset and astro work.

A parent in Portland checks a-09 in late March and finds alder pollen "very high" at 340 grains/m³, grass "low." The 3-day forecast shows alder dropping by Thursday with an incoming rain system. Stack with a-02-seven-day-forecast (confirming rain) and f-03-bloom-calendar (showing alder peak season). This helps plan the week: outdoor activities Wednesday are risky, but Thursday post-rain should be clear. The pollen data alone says "bad today"; the composition says "better Thursday."

An amateur astronomer near Goldendale, Washington checks a-10 and finds current total cloud cover at 80%, but the layer breakdown shows it's all low-level fog (90% low, 5% mid, 0% high). The 48-hour forecast shows low clouds clearing by 10pm as temperatures drop. Stack with co-10-astrophotography-planner and t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 3 at Goldendale Observatory). High clouds would scatter starlight; low fog that clears means tonight may actually be excellent. The layer breakdown changes the conclusion.

A kayaker checks h-01 for the Clackamas River before a weekend trip. Current discharge is 2,400 cfs at gage height 4.2 ft—below the 7.0 ft action stage. Stack with a-04-precipitation-radar showing rain moving in and a-02-seven-day-forecast calling for 2 inches by Saturday. The river is runnable now, but may approach action stage by Sunday afternoon—a signal to plan the put-in for Saturday morning.

A razor clam digger on the Long Beach Peninsula checks h-02 and finds a -1.2 ft low tide at 6:47am—excellent for digging. Stack with a-07-moon-phase (new moon, which means spring tides and the lowest lows) and a-01-current-conditions (checking for wind and rain). The minus tide plus new moon is the compound condition that makes the best clamming days.

A community group monitoring Johnson Creek in SE Portland queries h-03 and finds WQI 62 (marginal), with elevated turbidity after recent rains. Stack with h-04-watershed-profile to trace the drainage area and vt-05-toxic-release to check for upstream pollution sources. The WQI number is a symptom; the composition helps diagnose causes.

An environmental planner studying a proposed gravel mine near Issaquah queries h-04 to delineate the watershed. The basin boundary shows that runoff from the site flows directly into Issaquah Creek, which connects to Lake Sammamish. Stack with h-03-water-quality for current creek conditions and fa-04-endangered-species for salmon run data. The watershed profile turns a point-location proposal into a hydrological impact area—a spatial context no other rill provides.

A rancher in central Oregon checks h-05 and finds D2 (Severe Drought) with a worsening trend over 4 weeks. Stack with h-09-lake-reservoir (showing Prineville Reservoir at 45% capacity) and a-03-historical-climate (showing below-normal precipitation for 6 consecutive months). This surfaces a signal that irrigation water allocations may be cut—a planning horizon measured in weeks, not days.

A prospective homebuyer evaluating a well-dependent property in rural Thurston County queries h-06 and finds the water table at 42 feet below surface at the nearest monitoring well. Stack with t-04-geology-bedrock (glacial outwash deposits—good aquifer material) and h-05-drought-monitor (no current drought). The 42-foot depth is normal for the area, and the geology supports good well yield. But the drought monitor's trend line is worth watching.

A homebuyer evaluating a property along the Snoqualmie River queries h-07 and finds FEMA Zone AE (1% annual chance flood plain) with a Base Flood Elevation of 32 ft. No current NWS alerts. Stack with vl-02-flood-risk for insurance cost implications and h-01-stream-gauge for current river level relative to flood stage. The FEMA zone means mandatory flood insurance for any federally-backed mortgage—a financial signal that the map makes visible.

A construction manager checks h-08 after a November atmospheric river hits the Puget Sound region. The 7-day total reads 4.8 inches—well above the monthly average of 5.4 inches, delivered in one week. Stack with h-07-flood-risk (flood warnings now active) and t-02-soil-profile (clay soils saturated). This confirms what the mud on the job site already suggests: no grading work this week.

A municipal water planner in Bend checks h-09 for Wickiup Reservoir in early July. Storage is at 38% of capacity with elevation dropping 0.5 ft/week. Stack with h-05-drought-monitor (D1 drought) and a-03-historical-climate (below-normal snowpack last winter). This surfaces a signal that August water restrictions may be necessary—the reservoir drawdown rate plus the drought trajectory suggests the math doesn't work for a normal irrigation season.

A sea kayaker planning a crossing of Admiralty Inlet in Puget Sound queries h-10 and finds current speed of 2.1 knots flowing south on the ebb. Stack with h-02-tide-tables (slack tide at 3:15pm) and a-05-wind-rose (afternoon northerly wind opposing the ebb current—which creates standing waves). The safe crossing window is around slack tide; the current and wind combination at other times is the hazard that this composition reveals.

After feeling a jolt in Portland, a resident queries sm-01 within 100km and finds a M3.2 event 12 minutes ago, 45km SSE at 8km depth. Combined with sm-03-fault-proximity, the event falls near the mapped East Bank Fault. Not dangerous, but a reminder that the region is seismically active—and a prompt to check sm-02-seismic-hazard for the probabilistic picture.

A structural engineer in Olympia queries sm-02 for a hospital retrofit project and finds hazard score 78/100 with PGA 0.55g at 2% probability in 50 years. The vs30 at the site is 280 m/s (soft soil), which amplifies the already high base hazard. Stack with sm-04-liquefaction-risk and the foundation design requirements become clear: this site needs seismic isolation or deep piles, not shallow spread footings.

A developer scouting a site in the East Bay hills near Oakland queries sm-03 and finds the Hayward Fault at 0.8km with a slip rate of 9 mm/yr—one of the most hazardous faults in the US. The Calaveras Fault is at 12km. Combined with sm-02-seismic-hazard (hazard score 85) and sm-04-liquefaction-risk, the composition makes clear that this site requires the most stringent seismic engineering. The fault proximity alone is the signal; the composition defines the response.

A homebuyer considering a property in San Francisco's Marina District queries sm-04 and finds it inside a CGS-designated liquefaction zone—the same area that saw dramatic damage in 1989's Loma Prieta earthquake. Stack with sm-02-seismic-hazard (high) and t-04-geology-bedrock (artificial fill over bay mud). The composition tells a clear story: this is beautiful real estate on fundamentally unstable ground. The disclosure is required; the understanding is optional but valuable.

A seismologist analyzing the Cascadia region pulls sm-05 for 50 years within 200km of Seattle. The magnitude distribution follows the expected Gutenberg-Richter curve, with 2,400 events above M2.0 and 12 above M5.0. The temporal pattern shows clusters in the 2001 Nisqually sequence. Combined with sm-02-seismic-hazard, this historical record validates the probabilistic model—or reveals where it might be conservative or optimistic.

A homebuyer comparing two neighborhoods in Portland queries sn-01 for both. Sellwood returns 48 dB(A) ("quiet residential"); Foster-Powell returns 62 dB(A) ("moderate") due to I-205 proximity. The 14 dB difference represents roughly a 4x perceived loudness increase. Stack with vl-01-property-valuation—the Foster-Powell property is $80K cheaper, and now you know part of the reason.

A noise-sensitive buyer finds a seemingly quiet property near Olympia, but sn-02 reveals the dominant source is JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) military flight operations at 58 dB—intermittent but loud when active. Traffic noise is only 42 dB. The ambient average hides the peak events. Stack with sn-03-airport-noise for formal contour data and a-05-wind-rose to check whether prevailing winds carry sound toward or away from the site.

A developer evaluating a mixed-use project near SeaTac queries sn-03 and finds DNL 68 dB—above the 65 dB threshold. This triggers FAA Part 150 compatibility guidelines recommending sound insulation for residential use. Combined with cv-01-zoning-lookup (zoned for mixed-use) and vl-01-property-valuation, the noise contour doesn't prohibit the project but adds insulation costs that affect the pro forma.

A property buyer checks sn-04 for a rural-feeling lot on Whidbey Island and finds estimated 52 dB from SR-20 at 600m. The road is screened by trees and not visible from the lot, but sound carries. Stack with t-03-elevation-slope—the lot sits below road grade, which means terrain partially blocks sound. The 52 dB estimate may be conservative in this case. Terrain and vegetation modify noise in ways the flat-terrain model doesn't capture.

An ecologist studying habitat quality in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest queries sn-05 and finds NDSI 0.82 (excellent natural soundscape) with existing levels only 3 dB above natural baseline. Stack with t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 2), fa-01-bird-watcher (high species diversity), and f-05-ecoregion-profile. This composition paints a picture of a site where both visual and acoustic wilderness is intact—valuable for conservation prioritization and as a control site for impact studies.

A family camping at Cape Lookout on the Oregon coast opens co-01 at 10pm. The chart shows Jupiter blazing at magnitude -2.5 in the southwest, the Summer Triangle overhead, and the Milky Way arcing from Sagittarius to Cassiopeia. A child asks "what's that bright one?" and the star chart identifies it instantly. Stack with t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 4 at this coastal site) to understand which objects are actually visible vs. theoretically above the horizon.

An amateur astronomer in Bellingham checks co-02 before setting up a telescope. Saturn is at magnitude 0.8, rising at 8:15pm in the east at elongation 160° (nearly opposition—best viewing of the year). Mars rises at 11:30pm. The rise times help schedule the evening: start with Saturn, switch to Mars after midnight. Stack with a-10-cloud-forecast and a-08-astronomical-twilight for the full timing picture.

A tide pool photographer on the Olympic coast checks co-03 for the next two weeks. New moon is in 3 days (spring tides for extreme low exposures), full moon in 17 days (bright nights but weaker lows). Stack with h-02-tide-tables for the exact low tide windows and a-10-cloud-forecast for the weather outlook. The moon calendar drives the tide schedule which drives the access to intertidal zones.

An educator planning an August star party near Mt. Hood checks co-04 and finds the Perseids peaking on August 12 with ZHR 100. The radiant rises above 30° by 11pm at this latitude. Viewing score: 85/100 (high radiant, moderate moon interference). Stack with co-03-moon-phase (waxing crescent, 35% illumination—sets by midnight) and t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 3 at the site). After moonset, conditions should be excellent for 3–4 hours of dark sky.

A parent in Seattle checks co-05 and finds a bright ISS pass tomorrow at 9:12pm—magnitude -3.8, max elevation 72°, duration 6 minutes, entering from the WSW. That's brighter than any star and nearly overhead. Stack with a-10-cloud-forecast (partly cloudy but the western sky is clear) and a-08-astronomical-twilight (nautical twilight, sky dark enough to see it). A perfect evening activity that needs exactly this kind of multi-rill timing.

A photographer in Bellingham (48.75°N) checks co-06 after hearing about a CME impact. Kp is 7 (G3 storm), OVATION probability 45% at this latitude. Stack with a-10-cloud-forecast (clearing after 10pm), t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 5 in town, Bortle 3 at Baker Lake), and ki-03-route-planner (45-minute drive to Baker Lake). The composition produces a chase plan: drive north, arrive by 10:30pm, face north over the lake for the darkest horizon. Kp 7 at 48°N is uncommon but real.

A network administrator managing satellite uplinks queries co-07 and sees an X2.1 flare with an associated Earth-directed CME, ETA 36 hours. Solar wind speed is elevated at 650 km/s. Stack with co-06-aurora-forecast for the geomagnetic impact prediction and re-08-connection-quality for current satellite link performance. The flare itself is a space weather event; its operational impact on terrestrial systems requires the composition.

An observer with a 6" telescope near Bend, Oregon opens co-08 at 9pm in October. Best targets: M31 (Andromeda Galaxy, mag 3.4, transiting at 11pm at 78° altitude), M33 (Triangulum Galaxy, mag 5.7), M45 (Pleiades, rising in the east). The limiting magnitude of 10.0 for a 6" scope filters out objects too faint for the equipment. Stack with t-09-light-pollution (Bortle 3) and co-03-moon-phase (waning crescent rising at 3am—no interference tonight).

An astrophotographer setting up for a long exposure checks co-09 to plan around satellite trails. 14 satellites will cross the target field of view in the next 2 hours, including a Starlink train at 10:47pm. Knowing the timing allows pausing the capture during passes rather than discovering satellite streaks in post-processing. Stack with co-10-astrophotography-planner for the complete imaging session plan.

A photographer plans a weekend trip to Oregon's Alvord Desert (Bortle 1—the darkest sky in the state). co-10 shows the dark window from 10:15pm to 4:45am, with moon below the horizon all night (new moon weekend). Top targets: Milky Way core (low in the south until midnight), M31 (high in the east all night), North America Nebula (overhead). The APOD features a stunning M31 image—a good omen. Stack with a-01-current-conditions and a-10-cloud-forecast for the go/no-go weather decision.

A gardener in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood queries f-01. Zone 8b, average annual minimum 15–20°F. This rules out tropical species but confirms that fig trees, rosemary, and lavender are viable perennials. Stack with cu-01-growing-calendar and the zone feeds directly into frost date calculations and planting windows—the difference between “start tomatoes indoors March 10” and “start tomatoes indoors April 20.”

A landscape designer surveys a 5-acre property outside Bend, Oregon. f-02 returns 183 native plant species within 25km, led by Ponderosa Pine (412 observations), Bitterbrush (287), and Oregon Grape (251). The top-10 list reveals a high-desert sagebrush steppe community—suggesting drought-adapted landscaping rather than the green lawns the client envisioned. Stack with t-02-soil-profile (sandy loam, well-drained) and the species list becomes a planting palette grounded in both ecology and soil chemistry.

A beekeeper near Olympia, Washington checks f-03 to plan hive nutrition. Peak bloom: June (intensity 1.0), with a steep drop to October (0.15). The data suggests supplemental feeding may be needed from October through February. Stack with fa-05-pollinator-watch to correlate bloom timing with actual pollinator activity periods—if bees are still active in October but flowers aren’t, that’s a forage gap worth addressing.

A property buyer evaluates a 20-acre parcel near Ashland, Oregon. f-04 returns risk level “high”—Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius, 187 observations) and Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus, 342 observations) dominate. Both are aggressive colonizers of disturbed land. Combined with t-07-wildfire-history showing a 2020 burn perimeter overlapping the parcel, this surfaces a signal that post-fire invasive establishment may be underway—a factor in land management cost estimates.

An ecologist preparing a site assessment near Hood River, Oregon queries f-05. Level III: “Cascades” (code 4). Level IV: “Western Cascades Lowlands and Valleys.” This context explains the species assemblage returned by f-02—the Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar dominance is characteristic of this specific ecoregion, not a coincidence. Stack with t-02-soil-profile and the ecoregion adds the “why” to the soil’s “what.”

A climate researcher checks f-06 across a grid of points in the Portland metro area. Downtown: 12% canopy (2021), down from 18% (2011)—a 6-point loss. Forest Park: 89%, stable. The pattern surfaces an urban canopy equity question: neighborhoods losing tree cover may experience higher summer temperatures. Stack with t-11-air-quality and vl-01-property-valuation and the canopy data becomes a factor in both environmental justice analysis and property value modeling.

A landscape photographer planning a fall color trip checks f-07 for the Columbia River Gorge. Colored leaves peak in the third week of October, with 67% of observations between Oct 10–Nov 5. Leaf drop follows two weeks later. Combined with a-10-cloud-forecast for clear-sky probability and t-03-elevation-slope for south-facing viewpoints, this produces a precision timing window for peak fall color photography in the Gorge.

A forager checks f-08 near Corvallis, Oregon in November. Top species: Cantharellus formosus (Pacific Golden Chanterelle, 89 observations), Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail, 67), and Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric, 41). The edibility reference flags Chanterelle as edible (“confirm ID carefully—Jack O’Lantern look-alikes exist”) and Amanita as not edible. Stack with fg-01-mushroom-finder for the full foraging safety layer with toxic look-alike warnings.

A homeowner in Eugene, Oregon wants to replace a lawn with a pollinator garden. f-09 recommends 16 of 20 species as locally viable, with 12 confirmed by iNaturalist observations. Bloom coverage shows April–September well-covered, but October has zero blooming species—a forage gap during Monarch butterfly fall migration. Adding Azure Blue Sage and Canada Goldenrod fills the gap. The planner supports 14 unique pollinator species including Monarch butterfly, bumblebees, and hummingbirds.

Planned: a herbalist checks which medicinal plants grow near a rural property, with traditional preparation methods and modern safety contraindications. The Forage family’s fg-08-medicinal-foraging rill covers similar ground with a foraging-safety lens and is fully implemented—this rill will extend that work with a Flora-family ecological perspective.

A birder visiting Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge near Portland checks fa-01. 52 species reported in the last 30 days, led by Cackling Goose (2,400+ observations), Northern Pintail, and Bald Eagle. The notable sightings flag a Tundra Swan—uncommon here. Stack with fa-03-migration-tracker and the sightings gain temporal context: the Cackling Geese are wintering, not resident, and will depart by March.

An environmental consultant surveys a proposed solar farm site near Prineville, Oregon. fa-02 returns 31 wildlife species: 18 mammals (Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear), 9 reptiles (Western Fence Lizard, Gopher Snake), and 4 amphibians (Pacific Treefrog, Western Toad). The Western Toad observation is significant—stack with fa-04-endangered-species to check its conservation status, which may affect permitting.

A wildlife biologist checks fa-03 for the Willamette Valley in March. eBird seasonal data classifies Cackling Goose as “winter” (present Nov–Feb, departing), Barn Swallow as “breeding” (arriving), and Dark-eyed Junco as “resident” (year-round). Movebank shows 3 public GPS studies within 200km. The compound picture reveals the valley as a continental-scale intersection: Arctic-breeding geese leaving as Central American swallows arrive—a migration crossroads visible only through data fusion.

A developer evaluating a coastal site near Bandon, Oregon runs fa-04. The alert returns 8 species: Western Snowy Plover (IUCN Near Threatened + ESA Threatened), Marbled Murrelet (IUCN Endangered + ESA Threatened), and 6 others. The Plover listing is critical—nesting habitat on beaches can trigger seasonal construction restrictions and buffer zones. Combined with cv-01-zoning-lookup, the endangered species data transforms a property assessment from “buildable” to “buildable with significant regulatory constraints.”

An organic farmer near Salem, Oregon checks fa-05 in July. 67 pollinator species observed: 41 Lepidoptera (Western Tiger Swallowtail, Painted Lady, various skippers) and 26 Hymenoptera (bumblebees, mason bees, paper wasps). Peak months: June–August. Stack with f-09-pollinator-garden-planner to determine which plants would sustain this pollinator community beyond August—extending the bloom season directly supports the farm’s pollination needs.

A marine educator prepares a tide pool field trip near Depoe Bay, Oregon. fa-06 returns 142 marine species within 50km, including Purple Sea Urchin, Ochre Sea Star, and Giant Pacific Octopus. Family breakdown shows Gastropoda (23 species) and Actinopterygii (31 species) dominating. Stack with h-02-tidal-data for low tide windows—the best tide pool visibility occurs at minus tides, and knowing which species to look for transforms the visit from wandering to targeted discovery.

A birder hears an unfamiliar call on an early morning hike near Mount Tabor in Portland. They query fa-07 for the area with quality filter “A.” The top results include Varied Thrush (song), Steller’s Jay (call), and Pacific Wren (song). Playing the recordings against memory narrows the ID to Pacific Wren—a remarkably complex song from a tiny bird. Stack with fa-01-bird-watcher to confirm the species has been reported in this area recently.

A landowner places a trail camera on a 40-acre property near Estacada, Oregon. fa-08 returns 24 expected species: Black Bear (crepuscular), Raccoon (nocturnal), Black-tailed Deer (crepuscular), Coyote (crepuscular), and Barred Owl (nocturnal) lead the list. Camera advice: “Enable infrared mode—most local species are nocturnal or crepuscular.” Peak activity: May–October. Stack with fa-10-animal-track to learn the field sign that confirms camera subjects without reviewing footage.

An entomologist surveying a meadow restoration project near Corvallis, Oregon queries fa-09. 178 arthropod species observed: Coleoptera (41 species), Lepidoptera (37), Hymenoptera (29), Diptera (24), Araneae (19). Peak activity: June–August. The species richness, especially in beetles and butterflies, suggests the meadow restoration is succeeding—insect diversity is a sensitive indicator of habitat health. Stack with fa-05-pollinator-watch to separate pollinator species from the broader insect community.

A hiker finds unfamiliar tracks on a muddy trail near Silver Falls State Park, Oregon. fa-10 returns 10 of 12 guide species as regionally present. The track is round, about 2” wide, with no claw marks—matching Bobcat (retractable claws, round print, 4 toes). Stride is 14”, consistent with the diagonal-walk gait pattern. Nearby scratch marks on soil confirm territorial marking behavior. Stack with fa-02-wildlife-atlas—Bobcat has 23 iNaturalist observations within 25km, confirming established presence in this area.

A mycologist plans an October foray in the Tillamook State Forest, Oregon. fg-01 returns 14 species within 50km, led by Cantharellus formosus (Pacific Golden Chanterelle, 89 observations, edibility: 5) and Boletus edulis (King Bolete, 34 observations). The look-alike matcher flags: “Chanterelle → Jack-o’-Lantern (Omphalotus olearius): forked gills vs. non-forked, no bioluminescence vs. bioluminescent.” Stack with fg-09-weather-window—score 82/100 after three days of rain—and the foray has both species targets and optimal timing.

A foraging instructor prepares a class walk through Forest Park, Portland. fg-02 returns 8 edible species within 25km above the edibility threshold of 3: Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica, edibility 5), Dandelion (edibility 5), and Chickweed (edibility 4) lead the list. Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) triggers an EXTREME CAUTION flag: “Deadly look-alike Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum).” The instructor uses this to structure the walk: safe species first, then a teaching moment on hemlock identification. Stack with fg-04-toxicity-checker to get full distinguishing-feature descriptions.

A wild food enthusiast near Eugene, Oregon checks fg-03 in October. Three species are in season now: Golden Chanterelle (peak Sep–Nov, intensity 0.9), Oregon Grape (peak Aug–Oct, intensity 0.6), and Chicken of the Woods (peak Sep–Oct, intensity 0.5). The calendar shows a lean period from January through March with near-zero intensity. Stack with fg-09-weather-window to narrow October down to the best day this week for chanterelles (2–5 days after sustained rain, 10–18°C).

A forager finds what they think is Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum). fg-04 returns toxicity: “safe” but flags TWO deadly look-alikes: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis, cardiac glycosides) and Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale, colchicine). Distinguishing features: “Wild Garlic has a strong garlic scent when crushed; Lily of the Valley is odorless; Autumn Crocus has no leaf stalk.” Confidence: MEDIUM (2 sources, look-alikes present). The safety disclaimer reads: “Never consume wild plants based solely on digital identification. Always confirm with an experienced forager or mycologist.”

A neighborhood food-security researcher maps edible resources in Southeast Portland. fg-05 returns 23 spots within 5km: fig trees (7), apple trees (6), plum trees (4), hazelnut trees (3), rosemary hedges (3). Each spot includes GPS coordinates and access notes (“street tree, public sidewalk” vs. “backyard, ask first”). Stack with fg-03-seasonal-harvest to determine which trees are producing now and which are months away from fruiting.

A chef researching local coastal ingredients near Cannon Beach, Oregon checks fg-06. Results: Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana, 23 iNaturalist observations, edibility 4, harvest season Jul–Oct), Sea Lettuce (Ulva lactuca, 15 observations, edibility 4, year-round), and Samphire (Salicornia europaea, 8 observations, edibility 5, Jun–Sep). The toxic look-alike for Sea Lettuce—Acid Kelp—is flagged via fg-04. Stack with tide table data to plan harvest at low tide for maximum access to intertidal species.

A family plans a berry-picking outing near Hood River, Oregon in August. fg-07 shows 5 species in season: Blackberry (ripeness Aug–Sep, edibility 5), Wild Raspberry (Jul–Aug, edibility 5), Elderberry (Aug–Sep, edibility 4), Hawthorn (Sep–Oct, edibility 3), and Hazelnut (Sep–Oct, edibility 4). Sweet Chestnut triggers a hazard warning: “Do not confuse with Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), which is toxic.” Raw acorns carry a tannin warning requiring leaching. Stack with fg-05-urban-foraging to find mapped berry bushes along accessible trails.

An herbalist surveys wild medicinal resources near Ashland, Oregon. fg-08 returns 7 species within 50km, led by Stinging Nettle (medicinal rating 5, uses: anti-inflammatory, diuretic, iron supplement) and Elderberry (medicinal rating 4, uses: immune support, cold/flu). St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) returns with a prominent drug interaction warning: “Interacts with SSRIs, blood thinners, birth control, and immunosuppressants.” Meadowsweet flags an aspirin-allergy contraindication. Stack with fg-04-toxicity-checker for full compound analysis and fg-10-preservation-guide for tincture preparation instructions (alcohol tincture, 6 steps, 3–5 year shelf life).

A forager near Olympia, Washington checks fg-09 on a Thursday morning. Current conditions: 14°C, 88% humidity, 3 rain days in the past week, light wind (8 km/h). Chanterelle scores 85/100 (GO): perfect post-rain temperature and humidity window. Morel scores 35/100 (WAIT): wrong season (April–May). Blackberry scores 72/100 (GO): in-season and warm enough. Best day: Saturday (average score 78 across in-season targets, temperature rising to 17°C). Stack with fg-01-mushroom-finder to identify the specific chanterelle species reported nearby, then fg-10-preservation-guide for drying instructions if the haul exceeds immediate use.

A forager returns from the Tillamook forest with 3 pounds of Golden Chanterelles. fg-10 returns two preservation methods for Cantharellus cibarius: Dehydrator Drying (5 steps, slice 5mm thick, dehydrate at 50°C for 6–8 hours, store in airtight container, 1-year shelf life) and Sauté & Freeze (5 steps, sauté in butter until moisture released, cool, vacuum-seal, freeze, 6–12 month shelf life). The forager chooses to dry half and freeze half. Stack with fg-01-mushroom-finder and fg-09-weather-window upstream for the complete foray-to-pantry pipeline.

A first-time gardener in Portland, Oregon (zone 8b) asks cu-01 when to plant tomatoes. Frost dates: last spring March 10, first fall November 15. OpenFarm returns 75 days to maturity. Calendar computes: indoor start week 8 (late Feb), transplant week 14 (early Apr, 4 weeks after last frost), direct sow week 16, harvest start week 24 (mid-Jun), harvest end week 30 (late Jul). No succession interval (DTM > 90). Stack with f-01-hardiness-zone for zone verification and cu-08-harvest-predictor for yield estimates.

A gardener queries cu-02 for “basil.” OpenFarm returns: sowing method indoor/outdoor, spacing 30cm, days to maturity 60–70. Trefle supplements: light tolerance 8 (Full Sun), atmospheric humidity 5 (Moderate), height 30–60cm. The merged guide gives a complete growing profile. Stack with cu-03-companion-planting—basil is a beneficial companion for tomato (pest deterrent, flavor enhancement)—and cu-01-growing-calendar for zone-specific planting dates.

A gardener planning a raised bed queries cu-03 for “tomato.” Beneficial companions: Basil (pest deterrent, flavor enhancement, verified), Carrot (soil aeration, verified), Marigold (nematode suppression, verified). Antagonists: Fennel (allelopathic growth inhibition, verified), Brassicas (nutrient competition, verified). The gardener places basil next to tomatoes and moves fennel to a separate bed. Stack with cu-07-permaculture-design to scale individual pairings into full guild compositions with layer assignments.

A gardener in inner SE Portland queries cu-04. One result within 50km: Portland Seed Library (3.2km away, type: library, website: portlandseedlibrary.net, last verified Aug 2025). The nearest seed bank is Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa (2,900km). The gardener visits the Portland Seed Library to borrow heirloom tomato seeds, then uses cu-01-growing-calendar for zone 8b planting dates and cu-02-crop-database for growing requirements.

A gardener in Beaverton, Oregon checks whether blueberries will thrive in their backyard. cu-05 queries SSURGO: Multnomah silt loam, pH 5.8, organic matter 3.2%, well-drained. Trefle returns blueberry needs: pH 4.5–5.5, high acidity required. Match score: 62/100 (pH 0.3 too high, −20 deduction). Amendments recommended: “Add sulfur to lower pH by 0.3–0.5 units; incorporate peat moss for acidity and organic matter.” Stack with cu-02-crop-database for full growing requirements and t-02-soil-profile for deeper soil characterization.

A gardener in the Willamette Valley notices holes in their tomato leaves and queries cu-06 for “tomato.” Results: Tomato Hornworm (severity: high, treatment: “hand-pick, Bt spray, encourage parasitic wasps”), Aphids (severity: moderate, treatment: “neem oil spray, encourage ladybugs, strong water spray”), Early Blight (severity: high, treatment: “remove affected foliage, copper spray, improve air circulation”). Regional threats from iNaturalist: Japanese Beetle (47 observations within 25km)—not yet on the tomato pest list but present in the area. Stack with cu-03-companion-planting for pest-deterrent companions (basil deters hornworms).

A homesteader in the Willamette Valley (zone 8b) queries cu-07 for guilds compatible with their zone. Three guilds match: Apple Tree Guild (zones 4a–8b, members: Apple, Comfrey, White Clover, Daffodil, Chives, Nasturtium, Yarrow), Berry Patch (zones 4a–7b, marginal), and Nitrogen Fixer Support (zones 4a–8a). The Apple Tree Guild assigns each member to a food forest layer: Apple (canopy), Comfrey (herbaceous, dynamic accumulator), White Clover (ground cover, nitrogen fixer), Daffodil (herbaceous, pest deterrent). Stack with cu-03-companion-planting to verify individual pairings within the guild and cu-05-soil-requirements to check soil suitability for the center plant.

A gardener in Portland (45.5°N, season end: September) plants lettuce on April 1. cu-08 returns: DTM 45–55 days, harvest window May 16–Jun 9, yield 0.2–0.5kg per plant. Succession schedule: 7 windows at 14-day intervals (Apr 1, Apr 15, Apr 29, May 13, May 27, Jun 10, Jun 24, Jul 8), last harvest Aug 31. The gardener now has a complete sowing-to-harvest timeline for continuous lettuce through summer. Stack with cu-01-growing-calendar for frost-date validation and cu-05-soil-requirements to confirm the bed’s soil suits lettuce.

A couple looking at a half-acre lot near Beaverton, Oregon queries cv-01 and discovers it’s zoned R-5 (residential, 5,000 sq ft minimum lot size). The permitted uses include single-family dwelling and accessory dwelling unit. Stack with cv-04-property-regulations to learn the specific setback and height limits, then with cv-02-permit-tracker to see if neighbors have already built ADUs under this zoning—a signal that the regulatory path is well-worn.

An investor evaluating a fourplex in Chicago’s Logan Square runs cv-02 within a 500-meter radius and finds 14 permits issued in the last 6 months—8 of them for “interior renovation” and 3 for “new construction.” Combined with vl-07-market-trends, this surfaces a gentrification signal: the neighborhood is investing in upgrades and new builds, which may indicate rising property values but also increasing construction noise and displacement pressure.

A homeowner in Portland queries cv-03 with “accessory dwelling unit” and gets back 12 relevant code sections including Title 33.205 (Accessory Dwelling Units), with snippets showing the specific dimensional standards and owner-occupancy requirements. Stack with cv-04-property-regulations to see if the parcel’s actual setbacks and lot area meet the ordinance requirements—a composition that moves from “what does the law say” to “does my lot qualify.”

A designer planning a backyard studio in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset queries cv-04 and finds: 5-foot side setback, 25-foot rear setback, 40-foot max height, and 0.55 FAR. The lot is 2,500 sq ft, meaning the total allowable floor area is 1,375 sq ft. The existing house is 1,100 sq ft, leaving 275 sq ft for the studio. Stack with t-01-helio-study to determine if the studio placement within the setback envelope gets adequate natural light.

A community organizer in Tacoma, Washington queries cv-05 and finds their state senator (D-27th District), two state representatives, and their US congressional representative. Stack with cv-07-voting-district to map these officials to their exact district boundaries, and with cv-03-municipal-code to find which ordinances they’d need to advocate changing—a composition that moves from “who represents me” to “who do I talk to about this specific rule.”

A family relocating to the Portland metro area queries cv-06 for several neighborhoods and finds that a house in Lake Oswego falls in the Lake Oswego School District (unified), while one in unincorporated Clackamas County falls in the North Clackamas School District. Stack with cv-08-tax-rate to see how district boundaries affect property tax obligations, and with vl-08-cost-of-living to understand the full financial picture of each location.

A nonprofit analyzing civic engagement in Seattle queries cv-07 and finds the location falls in Washington’s 7th Congressional District, 43rd Legislative District (state senate and house). Stack with cv-05-elected-officials to immediately identify the specific representatives, and with cm-01-neighborhood-profile to understand the demographic context—a composition that connects political geography to the people it represents.

A remote worker comparing property tax burdens between Portland (Oregon) and Vancouver (Washington) queries cv-08 for both. Oregon shows a median effective rate of 0.93%; Washington shows 0.84%. But stack with vl-08-cost-of-living and the picture shifts—Oregon has no sales tax, so the property tax comparison alone is misleading. This surfaces a signal that tax comparisons require the full cost-of-living context.

An environmental consultant evaluating a parcel near Bend, Oregon queries cv-09 and sees that the NLCD timeline shows the site classified as “Evergreen Forest” from 2001 through 2016, then “Developed, Low Intensity” from 2019 onward. Combined with t-05-land-use for the current NLCD class and vl-02-flood-risk for hydrological context, this surfaces a question about impervious surface increase and stormwater management that a purely present-tense analysis would miss.

A buyer considering a commercial property in San Diego queries cv-10 with “building code violation” and finds 3 open violations within 500 meters, including one for “unpermitted construction” at the subject address. The CourtListener search returns a 2023 case in the same jurisdiction involving a similar violation type. Stack with cv-02-permit-tracker to check whether the violation has since been resolved by a permit—a composition that moves from “there was a problem” to “was it fixed.”

A buyer evaluating a listing in Bend, Oregon queries vl-01 and gets an AVM of $512K with a range of $485K–$540K at 0.82 confidence. The listing asks $529K—within range but above estimate. Stack with vl-04-comparable-sales to see that the 8 comps averaged $225/sqft while the listing is $240/sqft, then with vl-07-market-trends to see if prices are accelerating or plateauing in this ZIP. The AVM alone doesn’t tell you whether $529K is fair; the composition does.

A property near the Willamette River in Portland returns Zone AE (1% annual chance flood hazard) with SFHA status true and a BFE of 28 feet NAVD88. County claims history shows 847 total NFIP claims with $12.3M paid out, averaging $14,500 per claim. Stack with vl-05-insurance-risk for the composite risk picture, then with vl-01-property-valuation to evaluate whether the asking price reflects the mandatory flood insurance premium that SFHA status requires.

A property in Austin, Texas returns an assessed value of $380K with a $4,256 annual tax bill—an effective rate of 1.12%. Stack with vl-01-property-valuation (market AVM of $462K) to see the $82K gap between assessed and market value, which in a non-disclosure state like Texas suggests the owner hasn’t protested their assessment in years. That gap is actionable intelligence for both buyers (what will taxes be after reassessment?) and investors (what’s the true carrying cost?).

A buyer in Bozeman, Montana pulls comps and sees 10 sales ranging from $380K to $575K, with a median of $228/sqft. The top-correlated comp (0.94) sold 0.2 miles away at $245/sqft six weeks ago. The listing they’re evaluating asks $260/sqft. Stack with vl-07-market-trends to see if the market moved 6% in those six weeks, or if the seller is testing a premium. The comps tell you what happened; the trend tells you what’s happening.

A property in Santa Rosa, California returns a composite risk score of 7.4 (Major). Breakdown: flood 1 (Zone X, minimal), seismic 6 (47 M3+ events within 200km), wildfire 8 (regional estimate for Northern California), wind 3 (low). The composite is dominated by wildfire and seismic exposure. Stack with vl-01-property-valuation and vl-06-rental-market to evaluate whether rental yields compensate for the insurance premium this risk profile implies.

An investor evaluating a 3BR rental in Tacoma, Washington gets a RentCast estimate of $2,100/month (range $1,900–$2,300) and a HUD FMR of $1,876 for a 3BR in the area. The market estimate exceeds FMR by 12%, suggesting room above the Section 8 baseline. Stack with vl-01-property-valuation to compute rent-to-price, then with vl-03-tax-assessment and vl-05-insurance-risk to estimate the true net operating income after taxes, insurance, and vacancy.

ZIP 97201 (Portland SW) shows median price $548K with a +4.8% YoY change, average DOM of 22 days (down from 31 a year ago), and 142 active listings. The shrinking DOM and rising prices signal an accelerating seller’s market. Stack with vl-04-comparable-sales to see if a specific listing is priced ahead of or behind this trend, and with vl-08-cost-of-living to evaluate whether the price growth is outpacing local income growth.

A remote worker comparing Boise, Idaho (composite index 95) to Seattle, Washington (composite index 132) sees that Seattle’s housing index is 168 but its income index is 142, while Boise’s housing index is 102 with an income index of 87. Stack with vl-06-rental-market to compare actual rental costs, and with vl-07-market-trends to see which direction each market is moving. The index tells you where things stand; the trend tells you where they’re going.

At 2 PM in Portland, the MOER index reads 34 (Clean) because Bonneville Power is pushing hydro into the grid. By 7 PM, it’s 71 (Dirty) as gas peakers come online for evening demand. Stack with gr-05-energy-mix to see the fuel breakdown behind the index, and with gr-03-solar-potential to understand whether home solar would have been generating during that dirty peak window. The index tells you when to shift load; the mix tells you why.

A small business owner in Denver queries gr-02 and sees that Public Service Company of Colorado serves the area at $0.095/kWh residential, $0.081/kWh commercial. Stack with gr-03-solar-potential to calculate avoided cost from a rooftop PV system, and with gr-01-carbon-intensity to understand whether the utility’s generation mix favors renewables. The 2012 vintage means treating these rates as directional, not definitive.

A homeowner in Albuquerque queries gr-03 with the default 4kW system and gets 6,800 kWh/year annual production, a 19.5% capacity factor, and 6.2 kWh/m²/day solar radiation. June produces 720 kWh, December produces 380 kWh. Stack with gr-02-utility-rate at $0.11/kWh to calculate $748/year savings, then with vl-01-property-valuation to evaluate whether the $14K system investment is justified by the 19-year payback (before the 30% federal tax credit brings it under 14).

During a Texas heat wave, gr-04 detects ERCOT demand has dropped 18% below its 7-day average—flagging “Potential Disruption.” This is a proxy signal, not a confirmed outage, but demand drops of this magnitude during peak season correlate with grid stress events. Stack with gr-06-grid-reliability for the longer-term reliability grade, and with gr-05-energy-mix to see if wind generation dropped (a common trigger for ERCOT stress).

At 3 PM in California, CAISO shows: solar 38%, natural gas 28%, imports 15%, nuclear 9%, wind 5%, hydro 4%, other 1%. Renewable share: 47%. Stack with gr-01-carbon-intensity to see how this mix translates to marginal emissions (even at 47% renewable, the marginal unit is often gas), and with gr-03-solar-potential to understand how a home PV system would interact with this grid during its cleanest hours.

A property in Houston, Texas gets a grade of C (score 58) with a state avg of $0.128/kWh vs. national $0.116/kWh, and a “volatile” price trend reflecting ERCOT’s deregulated market. Compare to a property in Portland, Oregon (grade A, score 89, $0.092/kWh, “stable”). Stack with gr-04-power-outage for short-term grid status, and with vl-05-insurance-risk to factor grid reliability into overall property risk assessment.

A trail planner sets style: "topo" for a 15km radius around Mt. Hood. The rill returns the OpenTopoMap tile template at zoom 12, bounding box covering the mountain’s south face. Feed this into c-09-layer-compositor as the bottom layer, then stack c-02-trail-network and c-04-water-bodies on top. The base terrain shows contour lines; the overlays show where the trails cross streams.

A property buyer in the Columbia River Gorge queries trails within 5km and finds 23 hiking trails totaling 87km, including 3 rated “difficult” (SAC mountain_hiking). Stack with c-01-base-terrain (topo) to see the trails against contour lines, then with c-04-water-bodies to identify which trails follow creek corridors, and with c-06-points-of-interest to locate trailheads and viewpoints.

Evaluating a rural property in eastern Oregon, c-03 shows one secondary road (paved, 2 lanes) connecting to US-26 (primary) 4km north, with no other paved roads within the 5km radius. Stack with ki-03-route-planner for actual drive time to the nearest town, and with c-01-base-terrain to see the road overlay against topography—a critical context for access during winter conditions.

A property near Bend, Oregon returns 2 lakes (Mirror Pond 0.042 km², a reservoir 0.18 km²), the Deschutes River, and 5 seasonal streams. Stack with vl-02-flood-risk to see whether FEMA designations align with actual water proximity, and with c-05-boundaries to understand which water features fall within city limits vs. county jurisdiction. Water on a map is scenic; water in a flood zone is a cost.

A property straddling the Portland/Beaverton border queries c-05 at ["city", "county"] and gets MultiPolygon boundaries for both cities plus Washington County. Stack with cv-01-zoning-lookup to see whether the zoning changes at the city line, with cv-08-tax-rate to compare tax rates across the boundary, and with c-04-water-bodies to see which jurisdiction controls the creek that runs between the two cities.

Scouting a property in the San Juan Islands, c-06 returns 4 parks (including a 200-acre nature reserve), 2 campgrounds, 6 trailheads, and 3 viewpoints within 5km. Stack with c-02-trail-network to connect trailheads to actual trail geometry, and with c-01-base-terrain to see these points on the topographic map. The POI density relative to population density is a quality-of-life signal that no listing description captures.

Evaluating garden placement on a property in Corvallis, Oregon on the winter solstice: sunrise 7:44 AM, sunset 4:34 PM (8h 50m daylight), solar altitude at noon is only 21.4°, golden hour starts at 3:42 PM. Stack with fm-03-altitudo to get the terrain profile, and eventually with Phase 2 terrain shadows to see how many of those 8 hours and 50 minutes actually reach the south-facing garden bed.

Inspecting a rural property before visiting in person: c-08 provides the satellite base layer at zoom 16, revealing tree cover density, building footprints, and access road conditions that the topo base doesn’t show. Stack with c-05-boundaries to overlay parcel lines on the satellite view, and with c-02-trail-network to see whether the trail visible in the imagery is formally mapped in OSM.

Building a property scouting map: feed c-01 (topo base, z:0), c-04 (water, z:10), c-02 (trails, z:20), c-05 (boundaries, z:30, opacity 0.5), and c-06 (POIs, z:40) into the compositor. It resolves the z-order, deduplicates attributions, computes the union bounding box, and outputs a single config that a map renderer can consume. Toggle boundaries off, and the compositor recalculates the active layer set without refetching any data.

After compositing a 5-layer map of a property in the Cascades, the buyer exports at A4/150 DPI. c-10 returns: 1240×1754 px, scale bar “5 km” (248 px long), 5 legend entries auto-generated from visible layer IDs, combined attribution “OpenTopoMap CC-BY-SA | OpenStreetMap contributors | NOAA Solar Equations,” and estimated file size 1.2 MB (PDF). The buyer prints it and walks the property with data in hand.

Forward-geocode “3847 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR” and get rooftop-accuracy coordinates at [−122.6312, 45.5118] with “exact” confidence. Feed those coordinates into any lat/lng-based rill in the system—cv-01-zoning-lookup, vl-01-property-valuation, t-01-usda-soil-survey—and the address becomes a key that unlocks the entire data layer. Geocodex is the front door.

Buffer a school location by 500 meters, then intersect that buffer with cv-01-zoning-lookup results to find which zoning designations fall within the buffer. Or take two fm-06-fundus parcel polygons and compute their union to model a lot merger, then check whether the merged area meets the minimum lot size from cv-04-property-regulations. Geometry becomes a query language.

Profile a 2km driveway path to a rural property: 40 sample points reveal 85 meters of elevation gain with a maximum grade of 18% near the top. Stack with c-03-road-network to see whether an existing road follows the same path, and with c-07-sun-shadow-map to understand sun exposure along the slope. The elevation profile turns “steep driveway” into “18% grade for 200 meters starting at the second switchback.”

Evaluating a building site on a ridge in the Willamette Valley: fm-04 returns 73% visibility from a 1.7m observer height within a 1km radius. Stack with c-07-sun-shadow-map to understand sun angles across the visible terrain, and with c-08-satellite-imagery to see what the visible terrain actually looks like. A 73% viewshed on a ridge suggests the remaining 27% is blocked by the ridge itself to the east—a constraint on morning light but not on western views.

Once the data pipeline is connected, query building footprints within 500m of a property to understand neighborhood density, building heights, and structure classes. Stack with c-08-satellite-imagery to cross-reference footprints against aerial photography, and with fm-06-fundus to see how building footprints relate to parcel boundaries. A building that extends beyond its parcel boundary is either an encroachment or a shared-wall structure—both worth knowing before purchase.