Section line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Section line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
Do US Topos and The National Map have a layer that shows the Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?
The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is a way of subdividing and describing land in the United States. PLSS surveys, which are available for portions of land in 30 southern and western states, are made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The PLSS typically divides land into 6-mile-square townships. Townships are subdivided into 36 one-mile-square sections. Sections can be further subdivided into quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, or irregular government lots. PLSS was created to divide parcels of public land; it's not useful for the accurate location of points and shouldn't be confused with coordinate systems like latitude/longitude, UTM, or the State Plane Coordinate System.
For states that have Public Land Surveys:
- Almost all historical topographic maps (1884-2006) include PLSS tic marks or gridlines.
- US Topo maps published 2009-2012 do not include any PLSS data.
- US Topo maps published 2013-present have a Public Land Survey System layer that can be turned on and off.
- OnDemand Topo maps published 2022-present have the option for a Public Land Survey System layer that can be turned on and off.
- The National Map Viewer displays "BLM Public Land Survey System (PLSS)". Use the "Add Data" tool at the top of the map.
- For GIS users, PLSS data layers are available through the BLM’s REST service endpoint.
Learn more:
Related
Are the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) section lines on US Topo maps a legal record?
US Topo maps are not legal documents and the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) representation is not legally authoritative. The sections, townships, and ranges of the PLSS that are shown on US Topo maps are derived from GIS data from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in cooperation with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Learn More: FGDC Cadastral Subcommittee (information and links)
Why are there no power lines, pipelines, libraries, trails, etc. on US Topo maps?
The original USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000 scale) Historical Topographic Maps (produced 1945-1992) included feature classes that are not yet shown on US Topo maps (produced 2009-present). Examples include pipelines, power lines, survey markers, many types of boundaries, and many types of buildings. The USGS no longer does field verification or other primary data collection for these feature classes...
Where can I find a list of URLs for The National Map services?
See The National Map Services for a complete list of map service URLs. That includes available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links. Learn more: Training videos for The National Map Products and Services The National Map Applications
How can I submit a question or report issues regarding The National Map products and services?
Submit questions about The National Map products or report issues to The National Map service desk at: tnm_help@usgs.gov
PLSS Section and Protracted Boundaries Symbols
Section line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Section line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
PLSS Township / Range and Protracted Boundaries Symbols
Township/Range line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Township/Range line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
Township/Range line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Township/Range line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
Benchmark C9, near Apollinaris Spring in Yellowstone National Park
Benchmark C9, installed by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (now the National Geodetic Survey) in 1923 near Apollinaris Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The number stamped into the mark, “7337.580,” is the elevation in feet that was determined by surveys the year the benchmark was established. USGS photo by Michael Poland, September 4, 2024.
Benchmark C9, installed by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (now the National Geodetic Survey) in 1923 near Apollinaris Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The number stamped into the mark, “7337.580,” is the elevation in feet that was determined by surveys the year the benchmark was established. USGS photo by Michael Poland, September 4, 2024.
Example of a 2022 US Topo
Example of a 2022 US Topo map. Quad is Morrison, Colorado. US Topo logo, bottom marginalia, and map content detail are shown. Please visit US Topo: Maps for America for full details.
Example of a 2022 US Topo map. Quad is Morrison, Colorado. US Topo logo, bottom marginalia, and map content detail are shown. Please visit US Topo: Maps for America for full details.
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to Pixels
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
Related
Are the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) section lines on US Topo maps a legal record?
US Topo maps are not legal documents and the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) representation is not legally authoritative. The sections, townships, and ranges of the PLSS that are shown on US Topo maps are derived from GIS data from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in cooperation with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Learn More: FGDC Cadastral Subcommittee (information and links)
Why are there no power lines, pipelines, libraries, trails, etc. on US Topo maps?
The original USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000 scale) Historical Topographic Maps (produced 1945-1992) included feature classes that are not yet shown on US Topo maps (produced 2009-present). Examples include pipelines, power lines, survey markers, many types of boundaries, and many types of buildings. The USGS no longer does field verification or other primary data collection for these feature classes...
Where can I find a list of URLs for The National Map services?
See The National Map Services for a complete list of map service URLs. That includes available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links. Learn more: Training videos for The National Map Products and Services The National Map Applications
How can I submit a question or report issues regarding The National Map products and services?
Submit questions about The National Map products or report issues to The National Map service desk at: tnm_help@usgs.gov
PLSS Section and Protracted Boundaries Symbols
Section line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Section line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
Section line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Section line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
PLSS Township / Range and Protracted Boundaries Symbols
Township/Range line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Township/Range line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
Township/Range line - Symbol is a solid red line.
Township/Range line (protracted) - Symbol consists of two layers: a dashed line on top of a solid white line.
Benchmark C9, near Apollinaris Spring in Yellowstone National Park
Benchmark C9, installed by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (now the National Geodetic Survey) in 1923 near Apollinaris Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The number stamped into the mark, “7337.580,” is the elevation in feet that was determined by surveys the year the benchmark was established. USGS photo by Michael Poland, September 4, 2024.
Benchmark C9, installed by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (now the National Geodetic Survey) in 1923 near Apollinaris Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The number stamped into the mark, “7337.580,” is the elevation in feet that was determined by surveys the year the benchmark was established. USGS photo by Michael Poland, September 4, 2024.
Example of a 2022 US Topo
Example of a 2022 US Topo map. Quad is Morrison, Colorado. US Topo logo, bottom marginalia, and map content detail are shown. Please visit US Topo: Maps for America for full details.
Example of a 2022 US Topo map. Quad is Morrison, Colorado. US Topo logo, bottom marginalia, and map content detail are shown. Please visit US Topo: Maps for America for full details.
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to Pixels
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey
by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer
Updated Date: January 29, 2025