Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600939
10/13/97

### Determining Your Altitude Above Sea Level

    It
    is important to know your approximate elevation or

    altitude
    above sea level in order to determine a safe

    processing
    time for canned foods. Since the boiling

    temperature
    of liquid is lower at higher elevations, it is

    critical
    that additional time be given for the safe

    processing
    of foods at altitudes above sea level.

    It
    is not practical to include alist of altitudes in this

    guide,
    since there is a wide variation within a State and

    even
    a county. For example, the sate of Kansas has areas

    with
    altitudes varying between 75 ft to 4, 039 ft above

    sea
    level. Kansas is not generally thought to have high

    altitudes,
    but there are many areas of the State where

    adjustments
    for altitude must be considered. Colorado, on

    the
    other hand, has people living in areas between 3,000

    and
    10,000 ft above sea level. They tend to be more

    conscious
    of the need to make altitude adjustments in the

    various
    processing schedules. To list altitudes for

    specific
    counties may actually be misleading, due to the

    differences
    in geographic terrain within a county.

    If
    you are unsure about the altitude where you will be

    canning
    foods, consult your county Extension agent. An

    alternative
    source of information would be your local

    district
    conservationist with the Soil Conservation

    Service.

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