Glossary of Surveying Terms

ALTA Survey - is a boundary survey with a set of minimum standards that have been jointly prepared by ALTA (American Land Title Association)/ACSM (American Congress of Surveying and Mapping). In addition the survey will show improvements, easements, right-of-way, and other elements impacting  ownership of the land.

 

Boundary Survey - a land survey used to establish boundary lines and provide records and maps which show proper location and subdivision of lands in a specific area.

 

Construction Survey - Surveying principles and instruments are used to locate, lay out and execute construction plans into physical points on the ground that can be used as a basis for actual construction.   Construction surveying provides horizontal locations for structures and also vertical requirements for surfaces drainage or pipes flow. 

Global Positioning Systems - is a system of satellites established and maintained by the US Department of Defense.  These satellites can be used by civilians for a variety of tasks ranging from navigation and mapping to high precision Geodetic Surveying. The use of these satellites provides an efficient means of gathering information.

Hydraulic Survey -  a survey that records the features of bodies of water that such as bottom contours, channels, and watershed information for lakes, rivers and streams.

 

Legal Description - A method to describe a particular parcel of land in a way that uniquely describes only the subject parcel, without ambiguity.  The most common methods used to describe land are by reference to a lot and/or block within an existing subdivision, by aliquot description, or by a combination of these.  

Mortgage Improvement Certificate - a certificate by a licensed surveyor for the benefit of mortgage companies and title insurance companies, but are not a survey in the strict sense of the word.  The certificate show the relationship of the structure to the deed lines as described in the legal description.  

Plats  - a map of the monumented land survey, which is deposited  in the public office designated by the county commissioners. The map is a scale drawing of the boundaries of the parcel, all dimensions necessary to establish the boundaries, a description of all of the found and set monuments, a basis of bearing used, and a statement by the surveyor that the survey was performed either by him or under his direct responsibility, supervision and checking.

 

Route Survey  - a survey which supplies the data necessary to determine alignment, grades, and earthwork quantities for the design & construction of various engineering projects such as roads, railroads, pipelines and utilities.

 

Staking - provides a physical reference point and location for the placement of future buildings, utilities, sidewalks, curb & gutter, detention ponds, roadways and railways.  

 

Topographic Survey - the gathering of data from which a map may be made showing both the natural and man-made features using contour lines of the terrain.   Topographic maps are used to show elevations and grading features for architects, engineers and buildings contractors.