Land Surveyors Dictionary

Welcome to the Land Surveying Dictionary on Land Surveyors United Community! This comprehensive guide is meticulously curated to provide in-depth explanations and definitions of essential terms and acronyms used in the field of land surveying. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer, this resource will enhance your understanding and proficiency in land surveying. Each term is crafted with SEO optimization to ensure you find exactly what you need quickly and efficiently. Dive into our A terms below and elevate your land surveying expertise.

A Terms

A (Land Status Records) – Acre(s)
An acre is a unit of area commonly used in land measurement. One acre equals 43,560 square feet, 4,840 square yards, or about 0.4047 hectares. It's crucial in land surveying for determining property size and land transactions. Acreage calculations are vital for land development, agriculture, and real estate.

ABC – Airborne Control
Airborne Control refers to aerial survey methods utilizing aircraft to capture topographic data. This technique enhances accuracy in mapping large areas, providing critical data for geographical information systems (GIS), environmental monitoring, and urban planning.

ACQ (Land Status Records) – Acquired
Acquired lands are properties obtained by the government through purchase, donation, or other means. This term is essential in land status records, indicating ownership and administrative responsibilities.

ACSM – American Congress on Surveying and Mapping
The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) was a professional association dedicated to advancing the sciences of surveying, mapping, and related fields. It played a key role in setting standards and promoting education in the industry.

ACT OF CONG (Land Status Records) – Act of Congress
An Act of Congress is a statute enacted by the United States Congress. In land surveying, it often refers to legislative measures that impact land ownership, management, and survey regulations.

ADHE (Land Status Records) – Adjusted Homestead Entry
Adjusted Homestead Entry refers to land adjustments made under homestead laws, which allowed settlers to claim government land. These adjustments are recorded in land status documents for legal and historical reference.

ADM S (Land Status Records) – Administrative Site
An Administrative Site is a parcel of land designated for governmental administrative purposes. These sites are critical for local, state, and federal operations and are documented in land status records.

ADP – Automatic Data Processing
Automatic Data Processing in land surveying involves the use of computers and software to collect, process, and analyze survey data. This technology improves efficiency, accuracy, and data management in surveying projects.

A&E – Architect and Engineer
The term Architect and Engineer (A&E) represents the collaborative efforts between architects and engineers in designing and constructing infrastructure projects. Their roles are crucial in ensuring that survey data is accurately applied in building designs and construction.

AEC (Land Status Records) – Atomic Energy Commission
The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was a federal agency responsible for nuclear energy production and regulation. In land surveying, it often relates to lands managed or monitored due to their use or potential use in atomic energy projects.

AF (Land Status Records) – Air Force
Air Force lands are properties owned or managed by the United States Air Force. These lands are recorded in land status documents, indicating their use for military purposes and their management under specific regulations.

AGRI (Land Status Records) – Agriculture, Agricultural
Agricultural lands are designated for farming and related activities. These areas are documented in land status records, reflecting their use for crop production, livestock, and other agricultural purposes.

AGRI EXP STA (Land Status Records) – Agriculture Experimental Station
Agriculture Experimental Stations are research facilities dedicated to advancing agricultural science. They are documented in land status records for their contributions to agricultural development and innovation.

AHA (Land Status Records) – Alaska House Authority
The Alaska House Authority manages housing and land development projects in Alaska. Their activities are recorded in land status documents, reflecting their role in state housing initiatives.

AHE (Land Status Records) – Additional Homestead Entry
Additional Homestead Entry refers to subsequent claims made under homestead laws, allowing settlers to expand their original land claims. These entries are recorded in land status documents for historical and legal purposes.

AK – Alaska
Alaska is a U.S. state known for its vast wilderness and unique land surveying challenges due to its size and terrain. Surveying in Alaska requires specialized knowledge and techniques to navigate its diverse landscape.

AL – Alabama
Alabama is a U.S. state with a rich history in land surveying. Its diverse geography, including mountains, rivers, and coastal areas, presents unique challenges and opportunities for surveyors.

ALA – Alabama
See "AL – Alabama" above.

ALL MIN (Land Status Records) – All Minerals
All Minerals refers to land areas where mineral rights are included in the property ownership. These rights are crucial for resource extraction industries and are documented in land status records.

ALLOT – Allotment
An allotment is a designated portion of land assigned to an individual or group, often under government programs. This term is significant in land distribution and management.

ALS PS (Land Status Records) – Alaska Public Sale
Alaska Public Sale refers to the sale of public lands in Alaska, documented in land status records. These sales are crucial for land development and resource management in the state.

AM – Amended Monument
An Amended Monument is a revised or corrected survey marker used to identify property boundaries. Accurate monuments are vital for resolving land disputes and ensuring precise land measurements.

AMC – Auxiliary Meander Corner
An Auxiliary Meander Corner is a supplementary survey point used to define the meander lines of bodies of water. These corners help accurately map irregular shorelines and water boundaries.

A&M COL (Land Status Records) – Agriculture and Mechanical College
Agriculture and Mechanical Colleges are institutions focused on agricultural and technical education. Lands associated with these colleges are documented in land status records for their educational and research contributions.

AMDT (Land Status Records) – Amendment, Amended, Amends
Amendments in land status records refer to changes or corrections made to original documents. These adjustments are essential for maintaining accurate and up-to-date land records.

ANCSA – Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was enacted to resolve land claims by Alaska Natives. This significant legislation is crucial for understanding land ownership and management in Alaska.

ANS (Land Status Records) – Air Navigation Site
Air Navigation Sites are designated areas used for aviation navigation aids. These sites are documented in land status records to ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic.

AP – Angle Point; also AP-1, AP-2 etc.
Angle Points are specific survey markers indicating changes in direction along a boundary line. These points are crucial for accurately defining property lines and land divisions.

APLN (Land Status Records) – Application
Applications in land status records refer to requests for land use, development, or ownership. These applications are part of the legal process for obtaining land rights.

APLN EXT (Land Status Records) – Application for Extension
An Application for Extension involves requests to extend deadlines or terms related to land use or ownership. These extensions are documented in land status records for legal and administrative purposes.

APP (Land Status Records) – Appendix
An Appendix in land status records includes supplementary information or documents attached to the main record. These appendices provide additional context or details relevant to the land in question.

APPROP (Land Status Records) – Appropriation, Appropriate, Appropriated
Appropriation refers to the allocation of land for specific uses or purposes. These actions are recorded in land status documents, indicating the intended use and management of the land.

APPVD (Land Status Records) – Approved
Approved land status records indicate that specific actions or applications have received official approval. These approvals are crucial for legal and administrative processes in land management.

AR – Arkansas
Arkansas is a U.S. state with diverse terrain, including mountains, forests, and rivers. Surveying in Arkansas requires specialized knowledge to navigate its varied landscape.

AREA ADM O (Land Status Records) – Area Administrator Order(s)
Area Administrator Orders are directives issued by regional administrators for land management and use. These orders are recorded in land status documents for legal and administrative reference.

ARIZ – Arizona
Arizona is a U.S. state known for its arid climate and unique geological features. Land surveying in Arizona involves addressing challenges related to its desert environment and extensive public lands.

ARK – Arkansas
See "AR – Arkansas" above.

ARPT (Land Status Records) – Airport
Airports are significant land areas designated for aviation purposes. These sites are documented in land status records for their role in transportation and economic development.

ARRCS (Land Status Records) – Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corp. Sale
The Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Sale involves land sales aimed at rural development in Alaska. These transactions are recorded in land status documents for historical and administrative purposes.

ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is a professional association dedicated to advancing civil engineering. Its standards and guidelines are crucial for land surveying and infrastructure development.

ASGN (Land Status Records) – Assignment
Assignments in land status records refer to the transfer of rights or interests in land from one party to another. These assignments are essential for legal transactions and property management.

ASPH (Land Status Records) – Asphalt
Asphalt refers to land areas where this material is used for paving and construction. These areas are documented in land status records for infrastructure development and maintenance.

ASRHE (Land Status Records) – Additional Stockraising Homestead Entry
Additional Stockraising Homestead Entries involve subsequent claims made under stockraising homestead laws. These entries are recorded in land status documents for legal and historical reference.

AUTH (Land Status Records) – Authorization
Authorization in land status records indicates official permission granted for specific land uses or actions. These authorizations are crucial for legal compliance and land management.

AVE LSE (Land Status Records) – Aviation Lease
Aviation Leases involve agreements for the use of land for aviation-related purposes. These leases are documented in land status records for legal and administrative purposes.

AZ – Arizona
See "ARIZ – Arizona" above.

ABANDONED MILITARY RESERVATION
An Abandoned Military Reservation is a former military site transferred to the Department of the Interior for administration. These sites are recorded for their historical and land management significance.

ABROGATE
To Abrogate means to abolish or annul by authoritative action. This term is often used in legal contexts related to land agreements and regulations.

ABSENTEE OWNER
An Absentee Owner is an individual who owns land but resides outside the area, state, or country where the land is situated. This status has implications for land management and legal responsibilities.

ABSTRACT
An Abstract is a summary or abridgment of a document or record, retaining the general sense and unity of the original. In land surveying, an abstract often refers to a concise summary of a property's title history.

ABSTRACT OF TITLE
An Abstract of Title is a condensed history of the title to a piece of land, summarizing all conveyances, liens, charges, and liabilities affecting the property. This document is crucial for verifying legal ownership and any encumbrances on the land.

ABUT
To Abut means to reach or touch, specifically referring to the way land parcels are adjacent to each other. This term is critical for defining property boundaries and resolving disputes.

ABUTTING PROPERTY
Abutting Property refers to lands that adjoin each other. Understanding abutting properties is essential for accurate boundary delineation and land management.

ACCEPTED SURVEY
An Accepted Survey is one that has received official approval from the cadastral survey authority. This approval ensures the survey's accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.

ACCESS
Access refers to the right to enter and leave a property over the lands of another. This term is important in easements and property rights.

ARKANSAS DRAINAGE ENTRY
Arkansas Drainage Entry involves claims on public lands subjected to state drainage charges under federal law. These entries are documented for legal and administrative purposes.

ARKANSAS SWAMP LANDS COMPROMISE ACT
The Arkansas Swamp Lands Compromise Act of April 29, 1898, involved the relinquishment of unappropriated swamp and overflowed lands by Arkansas. This act is significant for understanding land reclamation and management in the state.

ARROW
An Arrow is an obsolete term for a chaining pin, used in traditional land surveying for marking measurements along a survey line.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
The Articles of Confederation were the initial governing document of the United States, preceding the Constitution. This historical context is relevant for understanding the development of land laws and governance.

ASSESSMENT WORK
Assessment Work refers to the annual labor or improvements required to maintain a valid mining claim. This work is mandated by law to ensure ongoing rights to the claim.

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Assignment Instructions are directives given to a cadastral surveyor authorizing specific survey tasks. These instructions ensure that surveys are conducted according to regulatory standards.

ASTRONOMIC
Astronomic refers to anything related to astronomy. In land surveying, astronomic measurements are used to determine precise geographical positions and azimuths.

ASTRONOMIC AZIMUTH
Astronomic Azimuth is the angle measured from the vertical plane through the celestial pole to the vertical plane through the observed object. This measurement is crucial for accurate celestial navigation and mapping.

ATTEST
To Attest means to affirm the truth or genuineness of something. In land surveying, this often involves signing documents to verify their accuracy and authenticity.

AUTHORITY, PUBLIC LANDS
The Authority for Public Lands is established by Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, granting Congress the power to manage federal lands. This authority underpins the legal framework for public land management.

AUTO SURVEYOR
Auto Surveyor is a trade name for an Inertial Positioning System used in surveying. This technology enhances the accuracy and efficiency of land surveys.

AUXILIARY GUIDE MERIDIAN
An Auxiliary Guide Meridian is a supplementary meridian established to assist in land subdivision when the primary meridians are too widely spaced. These meridians help maintain survey accuracy over large areas.

AUXILIARY MEANDER CORNER
An Auxiliary Meander Corner is a survey point used to define the meander lines of small bodies of water or islands within a section. These corners ensure accurate mapping of irregular shorelines.

AVULSION
Avulsion refers to a river's sudden change in flow, creating a new channel and leaving an identifiable area between the old and new paths. This natural process impacts land boundaries and property rights.

AVULSION, ARTIFICIAL
Artificial Avulsion involves man-made changes in a river's flow alignment, creating new channels. These alterations are documented for their impact on land use and ownership.

AVULSIVE CUTOFF
An Avulsive Cutoff describes the land area created when a river changes its course abruptly, leaving a new channel. This term is essential for understanding changes in land boundaries and ownership.

AZIMUTH
Azimuth is the horizontal direction measured clockwise from the meridian plane. This term is crucial for navigation, mapping, and surveying applications.