Setting the NW corner of section 35

First figure out the cardinal equivalents. I think it's important to work in true north or at least true northish?ÿif possible, however, at the end of the day?ÿyou want the distances to prorate against the cardinal equivalent distances. Probably the north south lines were run due north, so the chainages convert directly to feet, usually it's the east-west chains that need adjusted. But if your bearings show N89-59W then there isn't anything to adjust, a 30 minute from due east-west bearing will induce only .1' in 1/2 a mile, but as the angle increases so does the adjustment N88-30W would create almost a foot in 1/2 mile.

From there it's a matter of prorating those distances into a coordinate, if you are using true north bearings then you can prorate your northing and eastings, however if you are in state plane that doesn't work, then?ÿit's best to do a distance-distance calculation.

The bearings will come from the GLO plat also...If you are having trouble reading it I suggest posting here. You will get help.

For how to do a double proportion see the BLM manual. If you have questions you will get help here. Don't forget everything in the manual assumes you are working with geodetic bearings.

Are you sure you have no option besides double proportioning? It sound like there has been some development in the area. Usually, unless the land is completely untouched there are other options.?ÿ

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I would encourage you to read the notes carefully before restoring by proportion. It is entirely possible you have controlling intermediate monuments, accessories and or topo calls that will help you out. Also look for nearby corners with known relationships to the original.

Failing that i agree. Proportion using cardinal equivalents. Then look again before setting new corners...

I hate, hate, hate prorating in a corner, there is often a better answer for a missing monument. However, when all options are exhausted then it can be the only thing left.

Got any old photos, what does the quad show at the corner, highway, railroad plans (even if they are a mile away), check with old survey companies, sometimes they have lots of data. I would also look at all the patents to get an idea of ownership patterns. Those should be easy to download from the GLO database website. In my area water rights and old well bores will often have ties to corners (oil and gas commission, and the SEO holds those records, some available on-line, some not).

I took a look at the state's 1930 orthos and I couldn't see anything that will help. I have attached the GLO map.?ÿ

Any improvements in the area. Subdivision plats.?ÿ?ÿStudy the ?ÿGLO field notes. Talk to the local people.

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I would evaluate all junior monumentation and improvements along all 4 Section lines..

That 1990 photo is very interesting, I would take a look at it. No idea how you might translate it to the ground. Good luck!!

One thing for certain; if you're going to set it by double proportion; you're not going to set it, in it's original position...

In order to see where this is in Iowa, I used the recent addition on the GLO Records web site named, "Land Catalog" and entered the township and range.?ÿ The displayed map shows the sections, township and cultural features.?ÿ I then searched on one of the cultural features in Google Maps and after counting the miles, I got these two images of what I believe is the area that bigd1320 is looking at.

Here is a areal view of the area.

And a close-up with some corner labels I took the liberty of adding.

The W1/16 of Secs. 26 and 35 may have been set and there appears to be a fence from the lost corner north to the W1/4 of Sec. 26.

There doesn't appear to be much evidence on the 2018 Google image near the "lost" corner so the last resort of double proportion that others have suggested will likely be the best answer.?ÿ Just as a check of the fit, I'd also plot the straight line intersections to see how far it is from DP.?ÿ The fence to the north may have been established when the corner still existed (have you talked to the farmers in the area?).

I don't work in areas where the ground is so flat and there is so much extra oxygen so I'm just thinking out loud.?ÿ?ÿ

Edit to add:?ÿ If you don't want aerials shown bigd1320, I'll delete the attachments.?ÿ I only posted what was publicly available based on your GLO plat.

Posted by: RADAR

One thing for certain; if you're going to set it by double proportion; you're not going to set it, in it's original position...

Thing is, with these flatlander surveys, the GLO was usually less than 10 feet off by comparison to modern measurements. Its not like here in the mountains were GLO within a couple hundred feet is considered good. So a DP won't be that far wrong.?ÿ At least it should be in the same road intersection.?ÿ

Here are the transcribed field notes from the IADOT records database.?ÿ These should be of help to all since you already have the GLO plat.

Do you have a copy of Curtis Browns book??ÿ The description of how to complete a Double proportion corner is quite helpful.

Since this is Iowa - Have you thought of using their practice of doubling over through 1/16 corners??ÿ Project a line using the West 1/4 of 26 then through the 1/16 corner south of it then making the length of the line twice the distance between those corners.

Here is also a really helpful aerial photo viewer as well - has the images from now back through GLO plat and atlases as well.

https://isugisf.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=47acfd9d3b6548d498b0ad2604252a5c

Briniker, Can you send me a link to that IDOT records database? Is it public? I believe I just sent away for these note at the state archive and will pay $15 for the same thing.?ÿ