What is the numbering pattern for sections within a township in the Public Land Survey System?
The sections composing a township are numbered starting in the northeast corner, following a 'back-and-forth' pattern until reaching section 36 in the southeast corner. They are part of the Public Land Survey System and are used for defining property locations and boundaries, as seen on USGS topographic maps.
Numbering Pattern of Township Sections
In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a township is divided into 36 sections, each section being approximately one square mile (640 acres). Sections are numbered beginning at the upper right and working left to section 6, creating a 'back-and-forth' numbering scheme, then down to 7, and continuing in this pattern until it ends with section 36 in the southeast corner. This designation helps to identify the location of individual property parcels within the township grid.
Section 14 is often highlighted as an example, represented in a gold color on some maps, and it's located towards the center of the township grid. A township is further designated by its location relative to a baseline and principal meridian, such as 'Township 2 South, Range 3 West' in the example provided.
On USGS topographic maps, you can find township, range, and section information along the margins and within the map sections, respectively. These maps are crucial for navigation, land use planning, and understanding the specific details of land ownership and boundaries. The land within the townships can further be subdivided into quarter sections or quarter-quarter sections, depending on the needs of the users or owners at the time.