Baseline (surveying)



In the United States Public Land Survey System, a baseline is the principal east-west line that divides survey townships between north and south. The baseline meets its corresponding meridian at the point of origin, or initial point, for the land survey. For example, the baseline for Nebraska and Kansas is shared as the border for both states, at the 40th parallel.

Often, a baseline is marked by other features such as a road or boundary between counties.

"Baseline Road" in the United States
In Little Rock, Arkansas, Baseline St. follows the baseline used by surveyors of the Louisiana Purchase. In Colorado, Baseline Road in Boulder marks the 40th parallel, or the western extension of the Kansas-Nebraska boundary, which is also the boundary between Adams and Weld counties. In Arizona, the baseline near the Phoenix metro area is marked by Baseline Road. In Southern California, from Highland to San Dimas, the baseline is marked by Baseline Road. In Michigan, the baseline for the Michigan Survey forms the boundary between the second and third tiers of counties and in many portions, discontinuous segments of road along the baseline are known as "Baseline Road." Baseline Road in Hillsboro, Oregon, generally follows the Hillsboro CBL (Calibration Base Line).

Canada
In Canadian land surveying, a base line is one of the many principal east-west lines that correspond to 4 tiers of townships (2 tiers north and 2 south). Each base line is about 24 miles apart, with the first base line at the 49th parallel, the Western US-Canadian border. It is therefore equivalent to the standard parallel in the US system.