Shoreline as Evidence

Where the official record of a government survey shows that a meander line coincides with the shoreline of a lake, as in the discussion regarding County Ditch No. 67, Murray County, 1922, 186 N.W. 711, 155 Minn. 292, it is prima facie evidence that the meander line marks the actual shoreline.

When other evidence is sparse or nonexistent, the actual shoreline which approximately conforms to the original meanders may be the best available evidence or collateral evidence necessary to reestablish an obliterated meander corner.

Using the actual shoreline, when proven to be located approximately where the original surveyor described it, coincides with the principle of following the footsteps of the original surveyor.

The shoreline as direct evidence is more conclusive where it follows a well defined bank or the distance from a surveyed line crossing or meander corner to a definite bend is relatively short. Conclusive evidence may also be provided where the line crosses a welldefined short leg (point) of water or land (e.g. an island).

Caution: This alternative for possible corner restoration is often overlooked. The use of this method should be in harmony with the original survey, concurrent survey, and the other methods of restoring corners.