Land Surveying and PLSS Topics

Links and topics of interest related to the profession of land surveying.

Survey Monument Maintenance

Surveying relies on physical reference objects placed in the ground. While temporary stakes are what the public may see most often in conjunction with construction work, the enduring reference marks (usually called monuments) are much less prominent. Monuments serve to mark points used for geodetic control networks as well as points used to reference property boundaries. Monuments can take a variety of forms.

PLSS: Curiosities and Trivia

Interesting facts related to the Public Land Survey System (PLSS).

PLSS Origins in Wisconsin

The PLSS in Wisconsin was put in place essentially continuously beginning in 1832 and concluding in the north in the 1866. Township boundaries were surveyed first; sections were filled in later.

Final Report, 2015 Surveying-Parcel Forum

Report on a public forum entitled, “Aligning County Surveying and Parcel Mapping Efforts in Wisconsin,” hosted by the Wisconsin State Cartographer’s Office on March 12, 2015, at UW-Stevens Point. 

Mapping European Settlement in Wisconsin

This study of washington Island was presented by Will Craig at the WLIA (Wisconsin Land Information Association) Fall Regional Conference in Oshkosh in October, 2015. The study focuses on the processes used to collect and map the dates of initial land transfers on Washington Island, Wisconsin.

Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Maps

A variety of map types include a representation of the PLSS. These maps cover a range of scales and accuracies.

Learning Center

We answer hundreds of technical mapping-related questions every year from both the general public and geospatial professionals. This page provides more information on some of the most common questions we receive from map and GIS users.

Wood County seeks proposals for PLSS perpetuation and maintenance

RFP is part of Wood’s ongoing PLSS maintenance program.

Forum on the Public Land Survey System to be held in Wisconsin Dells

A one-day forum — “A Day with Your County Surveyor” — will be held at Chula Vista, Wisconsin Dells, on April 3, 2017.