Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2.8 Why Become a Land Surveyor?
Boundary surveying is a great profession, and most surveyors remain in their pro-
fession because they love their work. There is a great deal of variety in the work
because every boundary survey is different. Boundary surveyors are always visit-
ing new places. They are constantly meeting new people and solving new prob-
lems. When the surveyor is not doing research, he or she may be performing field
work. When the field work is done, the surveyor may be in the office perform-
ing calculations or meeting with clients. Surveyors often attend public meetings
in order to have their plans approved. They will often meet with local building
inspectors, engineering departments, health boards and conservation agencies
regarding surveys and plans.
Boundary surveyors must be adept at making very precise measurements in dif-
ficult environments and under difficult working conditions. Surveyors spend a lot
of their time in the field. Much of the work is physically demanding so survey-
ors must remain physically fit. Setting lot corners on their client's property can be
hard work. Setting a concrete or stone marker means digging holes three feet deep.
If these markers are far in the woods, the survey crew must carry in the heavy
markers and the equipment used to set them. There is also equipment to maintain.
Working outdoors presents many challenges. Surveyors are sometimes working in
the woods where they have the opportunity to observe wildlife and be observed by
wildlife. Sometimes in remote areas, particularly where there are bears, mountain
lions or poisonous snakes, wildlife encounters can be potentially dangerous and
surveyors must take appropriate precautions. In some remote areas, where wild-
life is known or likely to present a danger, it is prudent for the surveyor and the
crew to carry firearms or pepper spray. There are also lots of bees, ticks, mosquitos
and gnats to contend with. When working on farms and ranches, there are usually
domestic animals. Some are naturally curious and insistent on visiting the survey
crew—whether they are welcome or not.
Boundary surveyors must be adept at making very precise measurements in
difficult environments and under difficult working conditions.
Getting equipment in and out of remote locations can require the use of all-ter-
rain-vehicles (ATV), snowmobiles or horses. An ATV set up to carry surveying
equipment can be seen in Fig.
2.4
. In very remote places, equipment and people
must be flown in by aircraft or float plane. Measuring across streams is easy with
electronic measurement equipment but the survey crew will still need to cross the
streams to bring equipment across. If the water is deep, a boat may be the only
way to cross. Sometimes the boundary marker that has to be located is in the mid-
dle of a swamp and one or more of the crew has to cut line through the brush to
get to it. There is often poison ivy or poison oak, so surveyors need to be skillful
in plant species identification. In inaccessible mountainous terrain packing equip-
ment in by foot or horseback may be the only practical and economical alternative.
