CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Which element is crucial for determining the precise location of an aliquot?

1. Elevation

2. Section, township, and range

3. Boundary lines

4. Property ownership

The correct answer is: Section, township, and range

The element that is crucial for determining the precise location of an aliquot is the section, township, and range. In land surveying, aliquots refer to subdivisions of a section in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). Each section is typically one square mile, and it is further divided into aliquot parts, such as quarters or halves. Understanding the section, township, and range provides the framework necessary to pinpoint land parcels accurately. For example, a particular aliquot part could be described as the northeast quarter of a certain section within a specific township and range. This systematic approach ensures that land can be accurately identified and referenced, facilitating effective land management, ownership rights, and development. While elevation is important in surveying for contours and land features, it does not directly relate to the legal description of land subdivisions. Boundary lines can demarcate different properties but do not intrinsically define how specific parcels like aliquots fit within a systematic land grid. Property ownership is relevant for legal rights and transactions but does not influence the method of surveying land divisions. The foundation of precise location in regard to aliquots lies firmly within the framework of section, township, and range.