I just finished dissecting a 2003 survey that I tied into another survey I was doing earlier this week and found a 3.5' error based on the location of a center 1/4 corner we tied in to. I'd tied multiple monuments in two different subdivisions with common ties to this center 1/4 corner as well pouring through the raw data of the survey done by my predecessor in 2003 looking for a bust. (The 3.5' discrepancy was gnawing at me). I finally proved to myself that at some point this center 1/4 corner (along a busy road btw), has been moved 3.5'. You'd never know it unless you surveyed out in all directions to prove it.
So the question is ... would you reset it where it belongs and file a monument record, or just leave it for the next guy to stumble over. I'm a little torn. o.O
My first step would be sit down with the prior surveyor(s) and confirm my findings. I have been absolutely certain of myself before only to find that other information changed the story.
Once you confirm your findings memorialize the evidence. It sounds as if this corner is controlling for others. Removal and correction will just add another change to the evidence. Document your findings on a Survey with a narrative as long as need be. Have someone look it over and tell you what they understood it to mean. If they can follow what you wrote take it to the Clerk, Recorder or Surveyor and make it public...
Good Luck, Tom
I've found monuments that I have set in a different place upon return to a site. When I am sure they are moved, I put them where they belong.
Monuments that I have located before and upon return find they have been moved will usually get the same treatment.
This is the result when I have public records and notes to witness and reference marks and measured distances that can prove their original position.
When the numerous ties just don't match each other, I don't change anything and it becomes one of those WTF days.
My first response to a Center of Section not fitting correctly is to examine the four quarter corners. Have any of them moved or been reset by proportion?
Second, consider the era and equipment used when it was originally placed.
Third, what sort of terrain are you working and is the distance off plausible?
Fourth, how well do you know the surveyor who placed the monument and is his work generally okay?
I could, and probably should, write a book on multiple Center of Sections and how they came to exist.
One of the subdivisions sharing this corner was done in 1987 by a surveyor I use to work for that I hold in very high regard. I recovered the secondary corners he set in '87 on the line to the north and south of the C1/4 corner in question and they agree to within .02' of record, which would place it 3.5' away from where I found it. He did the original section break down. The other subdivision was done in '03 by another surveyor I know but can't say I hold in such high regard and I originally thought it was his corners that were off based on the present position of the 1/4 corner. He reports finding and holding the monument the first surveyor set. If anyone came in after the fact and reset the center quarter corner after doing a section break down of their own and then chose to ignore all of the subdivisions based off the original position, then they qualify for some kind of idiot award and I'll put it back where it belongs. What made this a real head scratcher was the survey my predecessor did, only tied the C1/4 (in it's original location) and two corners set by the second surveyor, of which both are now gone. :'(
First thing I did was go back and look for a dueling C1/4 corner 3.5' away. Nada, nothing, zip. The one I did recover was deep enough I doubt it was unintentionally disturbed. Was like someone didn't like the original location so they pulled it and moved it to where they thought it should go, ignoring everything built off of the original location.
Are there any nearby references? BTs? Subdivision corners? Say less than 100 'away that you can use to prove the center 1/4 monument has been disturbed?
Yes. That's what cinched it for me, but not before giving me a good spin on my ear. My intuition tells me it was disturbed by a utility and reset about where they thought it was, not reset by another surveyor. I'm just going to reset the darn thing where it belongs and record a monument record. The thing is there is sufficient control to re-establish the position, now, but way things have been going, ten years down the road, might be a different story. Maybe save some poor schmuck (like me) from holding the position for their survey down the road. Sort of 'pay it forward' I guess. Just wondered what others would do.
On the plan, I would show the mark in the original position, and note it 'disturbed'.
Following surveyors then know not to rely on it.
And possibly, I would show a mark in the new position, noted 'no record'.
So that is not saying the marks are one and the same, but it makes the relationship between the two positions clear.
Note New Zealand is a recording state - not sure if that makes a difference or not.
:good:
