The hook
Cadastral surveys establish, retrace, or re-establish property boundaries. They are the legal-instrument-meets-physical-evidence work that defines where one parcel ends and another begins. Every cadastral survey is part forensic investigation, part precise measurement, part public record.
Memorize these
Concepts that show up on the exam
Original survey
The first survey establishing a boundary. Sets monuments and produces the controlling description. Subsequent work retraces it.
Retracement survey
Locates the original survey's boundary using the original calls and any monuments still in place. Cannot change boundaries — only finds them.
Resurvey
Re-establishes lost or obliterated boundaries using authority to alter monumentation (limited; in PLSS country only BLM has resurvey authority).
Boundary determination
The surveyor's professional decision about WHERE the boundary actually lies given all available evidence. Documented in writing on the survey.
Pincushion
When multiple monuments accumulate at one corner from successive surveys, each "fixing" the prior. Reflects disagreement; should be resolved by determining the controlling monument.
Don't fall for these
What trips people up
Setting "your" corner without finding the original
If a competent prior surveyor set a monument and recorded it, your job is to FIND it, not replace it. Setting a duplicate creates a pincushion and confuses future surveyors.
Treating retracement as resurvey
You can't move a boundary by retracement. If you find the original monument disagrees with the deed, the monument controls (PS 1.A hierarchy). Document and stamp it.
Inadequate research before fieldwork
Showing up to the field without the deeds, plats, and prior surveys means you'll set monuments based on bad assumptions. Records first, field second, reconciliation third — every time.
Test yourself
How well did it stick?
A quick 5-question check on Cadastral Surveys. See where you stand and what to review.