Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Quiz
Township–range grid and land division (10 questions).
Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is a surveying method used in the United States to divide federal land into a rectangular grid. Established in 1785, it plays a crucial role in land description, ownership, and resource management across most of the continental U.S., defining properties based on townships, ranges, and sections.
Key PLSS Components
A square land area approximately six miles on each side, containing 36 square miles. Identified by its position relative to a baseline and principal meridian (e.g., T2N, R3E).
A column of townships running north-south, numbered east or west from a Principal Meridian. It defines the east-west location within the PLSS grid.
A subdivision of a township, typically one square mile (640 acres). Townships usually contain 36 sections, numbered sequentially starting from the northeast corner.
The foundational lines of the PLSS. Principal Meridians run true north-south, and Baselines run true east-west, intersecting at an initial point to anchor the entire survey grid.
Key Takeaways
- The PLSS is a system for subdividing and describing land in the United States.
- It originated with the Land Ordinance of 1785 to facilitate land sales and settlement.
- The system creates a rectangular grid based on Principal Meridians (N-S) and Baselines (E-W).
- The primary unit of the PLSS is the township, a 6×6 mile square.
- Each township is further divided into 36 sections, each 1×1 mile (640 acres).
- Land descriptions use township and range numbers, along with section, quarter-section, and smaller divisions.
- Most U.S. states west of the Ohio River (except Texas, parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and the original colonies) utilize the PLSS.
Frequently Asked Questions about PLSS
What is the Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?
The PLSS is a U.S. federal system for surveying and describing land, primarily in the western and southern states acquired by the U.S. after 1781. It divides land into a grid of townships, ranges, and sections.
When was the PLSS established and why?
The PLSS was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785, primarily to provide a standardized, orderly method for surveying and selling newly acquired public lands to finance the nascent United States government and encourage westward expansion.
What are townships and ranges in the PLSS?
Townships are 6-mile by 6-mile square blocks of land, numbered north or south from a designated Baseline. Ranges are columns of townships, numbered east or west from a Principal Meridian. Together, they form the primary grid.
How large is a section, and what is its significance?
A section is typically one square mile (640 acres) and is the smallest standard unit of the PLSS. Sections are commonly subdivided into quarter-sections and smaller parcels for property descriptions. Section 16 (and often 36) was historically reserved for school funding.
Which states use the PLSS, and which do not?
The PLSS is used in 30 states, mostly those west of the Ohio River (e.g., California, Kansas, Florida). States that do not use it include the original thirteen colonies, Texas, Hawaii, and parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, which had their own survey systems or land grant traditions.
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