Public Works

Surveying

The Survey Division is responsible for the restoration and perpetuation of the corner monuments of the Public Land Survey System, and determining modern measurements between those monuments. This "resurvey" data leads to accurate dimensioning of sections and from that the preparation of accurate countywide parcel mapping. Our office also checks and approves all subdivision plats, registered land surveys, and condominium plats for compliance with Minnesota statutes, local ordinances, and the County's Platting Manual. Our office also prepares Right-Of-Way plats for County highway acquisition.

Resurveys of sections are done by GPS, supplemented by older traditional methods where needed. The section corners are perpetuated with regular maintenance of monuments and their "ties" (bearing trees, etc.). As each monument gets GPS'd and placed on the County Coordinate system, that too perpetuates each monument's location. Our office also offers expert consultation to other offices and the public on legal description and survey matters; consultation to Planning & Zoning on subdivision matters; accumulates and perpetuates records of past surveys; and continually works on an inventory of elevation bench marks. For a brief description of additional information maintained by the Survey Division, please go to the Survey Information page.