Benchmark description deja vu

[+LSUFan]

I decided that I had to go scratch my benchmarking itch today, and took a few friends on some that appeared to have no recoveries since monumentation in 1977. Once we arrived on a certain level line, the descriptions gave me deja vu.

 

STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2426

CQ2426'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2426'10.0 MI SE FROM DUBBERLY.

CQ2426'4.3 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2426'ERLY, 109 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER OF THE JUNCTION WITH PARISH RD

CQ2426'171, 80 FT EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 101 FEET SOUTHEAST

CQ2426'OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A GUY WIRE, 64 FT SOUTH OF THE

CQ2426'CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD, SOUTH OF AND ACROSS THE ROAD FR THE CENTRAL

CQ2426'JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, DRIVEN TO GRADUAL REFUSAL AT 50 FEET.

CQ2426'THE BENCH MARK IS ALSO 2.5 MILES NORTHEAST ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531

CQ2426'FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT HEFLIN.

CQ2426'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 50 FT ENCASED

CQ2426'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCHES.

CQ2426'2 FEET ABOVE ROAD

CQ2426'1 FOOT WEST OF A WITNESS POST.

 

CQ2430 STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2430

CQ2430'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2430'3.3 MI NE FROM FRYEBURG.

CQ2430'1.8 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2430'ERLY, 109 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER OF THE JUNCTION WITH PARISH RD

CQ2430'171, 80 FT EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 101 FEET SOUTHEAST

CQ2430'OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A GUY WIRE, 64 FT SOUTH OF THE

CQ2430'CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD, SOUTH OF AND ACROSS THE ROAD FR THE CENTRAL

CQ2430'JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, DRIVEN TO GRADUAL REFUSAL AT 50 FEET.

CQ2430'THE BENCH MARK IS ALSO 2.5 MILES NORTHEAST ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531

CQ2430'FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT HEFLIN.

CQ2430'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 50 FT ENCASED

CQ2430'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCHES.

CQ2430'2 FEET ABOVE ROAD

CQ2430'1 FOOT WEST OF A WITNESS POST.

 

CQ2434'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2434'2.0 MI N FROM DUBBERLY.

CQ2434'1.8 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2434'ERLY, 109 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER OF THE JUNCTION WITH PARISH RD

CQ2434'171, 80 FT EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 101 FEET SOUTHEAST

CQ2434'OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A GUY WIRE, 64 FT SOUTH OF THE

CQ2434'CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD, SOUTH OF AND ACROSS THE ROAD FR THE CENTRAL

CQ2434'JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, DRIVEN TO GRADUAL REFUSAL AT 50 FEET.

CQ2434'THE BENCH MARK IS ALSO 2.5 MILES NORTHEAST ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531

CQ2434'FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT HEFLIN.

CQ2434'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 50 FT ENCASED

CQ2434'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCHES.

CQ2434'2 FEET ABOVE ROAD

CQ2434'1 FOOT WEST OF A WITNESS POST.

 

CQ2422 STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2422

CQ2422'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2422'9.4 MI SE FROM DUBBERLY.

CQ2422'4.3 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2422'ERLY, 109 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE CENTER OF THE JUNCTION WITH PARISH RD

CQ2422'171, 80 FT EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 101 FEET SOUTHEAST

CQ2422'OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A GUY WIRE, 64 FT SOUTH OF THE

CQ2422'CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD, SOUTH OF AND ACROSS THE ROAD FR THE CENTRAL

CQ2422'JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, DRIVEN TO GRADUAL REFUSAL AT 50 FEET.

CQ2422'THE BENCH MARK IS ALSO 2.5 MILES NORTHEAST ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531

CQ2422'FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT HEFLIN.

CQ2422'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 50 FT ENCASED

CQ2422'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCHES.

CQ2422'2 FEET ABOVE ROAD

CQ2422'1 FOOT WEST OF A WITNESS POST.

Edited April 3, 2016 by LSUFan

[+LSUFan]

and then there were these:

 

CQ2433 STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2433

CQ2433'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2433'2.5 MI NE FROM DUBBERLY.

CQ2433'1.8 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2433'ERLY, 43 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 19 FEET SOUTH-

CQ2433'EAST OF A GUY WIRE, 17 FEET SUOUTHWEST OF A FENCE CORNER, 15 FEET WEST

CQ2433'OF A GUY WIRE, 10 FT NORTH OF THE EXTENDED CENTER LINE OF A DIRT ROAD

CQ2433'LEADING WEST, AND 10 FEET EAST OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A

CQ2433'TRANSFORMER AND TWO GUY WIRES.

CQ2433'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 4 FT ENCASED

CQ2433'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCH.

CQ2433'1 FOOT BELOW HIGHWAY

CQ2433'1 FOOT SOUTH OF A WITNESS POST.

 

CQ2429 STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2429

CQ2429'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2429'4.0 MI NE FROM FRYEBURG.

CQ2429'1.8 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2429'ERLY, 43 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 19 FEET SOUTH-

CQ2429'EAST OF A GUY WIRE, 17 FEET SUOUTHWEST OF A FENCE CORNER, 15 FEET WEST

CQ2429'OF A GUY WIRE, 10 FT NORTH OF THE EXTENDED CENTER LINE OF A DIRT ROAD

CQ2429'LEADING WEST, AND 10 FEET EAST OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A

CQ2429'TRANSFORMER AND TWO GUY WIRES.

CQ2429'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 4 FT ENCASED

CQ2429'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCH.

CQ2429'1 FOOT BELOW HIGHWAY

CQ2429'1 FOOT SOUTH OF A WITNESS POST.

 

CQ2425 STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2425

CQ2425'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2425'9.2 MI SE FROM DUBBERLY.

CQ2425'4.3 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2425'ERLY, 43 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 19 FEET SOUTH-

CQ2425'EAST OF A GUY WIRE, 17 FEET SUOUTHWEST OF A FENCE CORNER, 15 FEET WEST

CQ2425'OF A GUY WIRE, 10 FT NORTH OF THE EXTENDED CENTER LINE OF A DIRT ROAD

CQ2425'LEADING WEST, AND 10 FEET EAST OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A

CQ2425'TRANSFORMER AND TWO GUY WIRES.

CQ2425'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 4 FT ENCASED

CQ2425'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCH.

CQ2425'1 FOOT BELOW HIGHWAY

CQ2425'1 FOOT SOUTH OF A WITNESS POST.

 

CQ2421 STATION DESCRIPTION

CQ2421

CQ2421'DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1977

CQ2421'8.4 MI SE FROM DUBBERLY.

CQ2421'4.3 MILES SOUTH ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 531 FROM THE POSTOFFICE AT DUBB-

CQ2421'ERLY, 43 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY, 19 FEET SOUTH-

CQ2421'EAST OF A GUY WIRE, 17 FEET SUOUTHWEST OF A FENCE CORNER, 15 FEET WEST

CQ2421'OF A GUY WIRE, 10 FT NORTH OF THE EXTENDED CENTER LINE OF A DIRT ROAD

CQ2421'LEADING WEST, AND 10 FEET EAST OF A JUNCTION POWERLINE POLE WITH A

CQ2421'TRANSFORMER AND TWO GUY WIRES.

CQ2421'A DISK ON TOP OF A COPPER-COATED STEEL ROD TO A DEPTH OF 4 FT ENCASED

CQ2421'IN A PIPE PROJECTING +1 INCH.

CQ2421'1 FOOT BELOW HIGHWAY

CQ2421'1 FOOT SOUTH OF A WITNESS POST.

 

I know it's just database entry errors, but I have never encountered this, and with ones so close in a line. You can see the numerical pattern, that every fourth one is the same. None of these marks were successfully recovered. It definitely had us scratching our heads after the second one the same, but we finally gave up after so many. LOL

 

Have my friends here seen this many like this before?

 

Bobby

Edited April 4, 2016 by LSUFan

[Bill93]

Never a set of several identical repeats. I've found some weird things in the data base, though, and gotten them documented and/or corrected.

 

I did find a mark that had two different PIDs and different to-reach that ended up in the same location. One PID had the wrong longitude by exactly 1 degree (if I remember correctly) so that led to the duplicate entry.

 

Then there was the classical triangulation station PID with newer Iowa DOT data by GPS, and also a PID with Minnesota GPS data and the same designation. The coordinates were only a couple feet apart and there was only one disk there. It turned out that the Minnesota data had a 1.0000 meter error in one of the GPS XYZ coordinates. That got straightened out, too, by NGS combining the corrected data on one data sheet and doing away with the incorrect duplicate.

 

Corrected, except that a PID really isn't a Permanent identification. NGS re-used the PID from the deleted data sheet for something a couple hundred miles away, and my recovery note pointing out the original discrepancy on the data sheet they kept looks pretty foolish now. Lesson: never put anything in the recovery notes that could be wrong if a problem is fixed.

 

I found a set of three marks that shouldn't be in the data base. Somebody carefully reset disks with designations 5, 8, and 12 in some series to be outside the construction area for a widened highway, and the resets got new PIDs. The problem was that the original disks did not have PIDs and the office calculated the reset elevations based on the data for designations 5, 8, and 12 in another county. Since the elevations are on the order of 100 ft wrong, I doubt any surveyor will be misled by them.

 

And I had one with ADJUSTED coordinates that I couldn't find until I re-studied the to-reach and discovered that to be 0.6 mile away at a different road intersection, where I found the disk in good condition. It turned out that somehow they had used the data (including coordinates) for an unpublished PID of a USGS series temporary mark with the proper description and to-reach of the disk that they intended to publish. NGS got that straightened out. My recovery report looked so foolish and confusing after they fixed it that I got them to delete part of the report from the data sheet.

[+LSUFan]

Bill, those are some interesting stories. I remember reading one down here in Louisiana that was using the St. Louis Arch in Missouri as a reference point. They had transposed some coordinate numbers, but it was corrected in short order once the NGS was notified.

 

I actually sent an email to the only person I still know at NOAA since David Doyle retired, who is Malcolm Archer-Shee (the designer of DSWorld). He forwarded it to the appropriate people who have the ability to correct these, if they still have the original information.

 

Further research revealed there are actually four sets, with repeating descriptions on every fourth number.

Edited April 5, 2016 by LSUFan

[kayakbird]

Hoping that I can scab on here and get a backdoor correction on this one. Tried several times - direct e-mail and DSWorld. kayakbird

 

 

Great upriver kayak camping