Restoration of Lost Corners

Often the best available evidence of the original location of a corner is the method by which it was originally established, and it’s relationship to subsequent surveys. The best method or combination of methods used to restore the lost corner may be obtained by following the footsteps (or methods) of the prior surveyors. Listed below are some of those modified forms and combinations of methods for restoring lost corners.

1. One-point control
   When a lost corner was originally established at the terminus of a line from one direction only, it should be restored at the record bearing and distance from the nearest regular corner with the possibility of an index correction. An example of this “situation” would be where a quarter-section corner was originally established on a section line which was never completely surveyed.
2. Two-point control
   When a lost corner was originally established at the terminus of lines from two directions, it should be restored at the record distances (cardinal equivalents) with the possibility of an index correction. One distance controls latitudinally and the other controls meridionally.
3. Three-point control
   When a lost corner was originally established at the terminus of lines from three directions, it should be restored at single proportionate distance in one direction (between control corners in opposite directions), and by letting the record distance (cardinal equivalent) control the position from the remaining direction. Examples of this situation may exist where lost township or section corners were originally established with control lines in only three directions.
4. Irregular boundaries
   There are three general types of irregular boundaries. First, irregular township lines where originally parts were possibly surveyed from opposite directions and the intermediate portion was completed later by random and true line. Second, irregular section lines where originally a partial survey was followed by a completion survey. Then a retracement would probably reveal a deflection in alinement. Third, irregular section lines or township lines where meander corners have been established from opposite directions on a section line which is intersected by a river, with a tie given across the river between the meander corners. Occasionally, the plat indicates the section line to be a straight line if the tie between the meander corners is within the allowable limits. However, a close examination of the notes may indicate a deflection in alinement of the section or township line. In these situations any lost intermediate comers should be restored by a modified form of single proportionate method of corner restoration. First single proportion the cardinal equivalent of the closing distance in the direction of the line. Second, single proportion the cardinal equivalent of the closing distance in the other direction based on the accumulated distances attained after the corrections for the first step are completed.
5. Line intersections
   When a lost corner was originally established by intersection of surveyed lines, it should be restored at the intersection of the same lines.

Caution: The preponderance of evidence of the actual conditions, in cases such as a centerquarter section corner, may indicate that a four-way proportion would be a better method in some situations.

Attempts to emphasize various methods, capabilities of equipment, and existing regulations by which the original corners were established have led to the use of the following methods of restoring lost corners in order to protect bona fide rights:

1. Angle points of nonriparian meander lines. (Compass Rule)—based on the assumption that the angles and distances of the original were measured with equal precision.
2. Grant boundaries. A rotation and scale change which retains the form of the original survey being adjusted. The interior angles are unchanged and the increase or decrease in lengths of lines is constant.

The use of the grant boundary adjustment (in the BLM) may have evolved from questions concerning original surveys such as:

• What are the exact directions in terms of angular measure from a true north and south line?
• What are the true lengths of lines when reduced to a common standard?
• How, in the event of an obliteration of the marks of angle points, can the lines be recovered, holding to a uniform correction from record direction to that of true direction, and in the same process hold to a uniform proportional adjustment to the lengths of lines as reduced to a standard unit?