Project Overview
Corbeau completed a comprehensive boundary verification survey for a rural property encompassing approximately 100 deeded acres in Louisiana. The objective was to determine the property's true boundary location and acreage using historical deeds, natural monument evidence, and field observations. Due to the age of the records and the absence of reliable modern survey control, the project required extensive research, careful interpretation, and methodical field execution to produce a defensible boundary solution.
The Challenge
This project presented several unique surveying challenges. The property was heavily wooded with mature vegetation, steep elevation changes approaching 100 feet, and extremely limited satellite visibility, making conventional GNSS observations impractical throughout most of the site.
Boundary evidence consisted almost entirely of historical natural monuments documented in deeds originating in the early 1900s. Existing descriptions contained conflicting information and referenced features such as trees and a narrow branch that served as boundary calls. Many original monuments no longer existed or could not be positively identified, requiring careful interpretation of historical evidence while maintaining compliance with established surveying standards.
The combination of fragmented historical records, difficult terrain, and limited technology required a deliberate field strategy supported by extensive research and professional judgment.
Key Deliverables
Boundary Verification Survey
Boundary Survey Plat
Legal Description
Boundary Evidence Analysis
Monument Recovery and Establishment
Total Station Control Network
CAD Mapping
Property Line Staking
Quality Assurance Review
Multi-Level Survey Control Network
Traverse Reports
Laser Scan Registration Support
Quality Assurance
Horizontal & Vertical Control
Control Point Layout
CAD Deliverables
Quality Control Documentation
Our Approach
The project began with comprehensive records research, including the review and drafting of available historical deeds to establish a preliminary understanding of the property's potential limits.
Field reconnaissance followed, incorporating client-provided historical knowledge alongside physical investigation of natural boundary evidence. Because dense tree canopy prevented dependable GNSS observations across most of the site, the survey relied primarily on a robotic total station and conventional traverse methods to establish survey control and navigate the property.
Special attention was given to evaluating historical natural monument calls, including waterways and surviving boundary features, while reconciling conflicting deed descriptions through systematic field verification and boundary analysis.
Following field operations, survey data was processed, analyzed, and subjected to quality control procedures before preparing the final survey plat, legal description, and boundary staking.
Results Section
The completed survey established a legally defensible property boundary based on historical evidence and accepted surveying principles.
Although the property had historically been described as approximately 100 acres, the completed boundary analysis determined the tract contained approximately 83 acres. This conclusion reflected the established hierarchy of boundary evidence, where natural monuments and historical boundary intent govern over stated acreage.
The completed survey significantly reduced boundary uncertainty, established missing boundary corners where appropriate, and provided the client with clearly marked property lines suitable for future fencing and long-term land management.
This project demonstrates Corbeau's ability to resolve complex boundary questions using fragmented historical records, difficult field conditions, and disciplined surveying methodology to produce reliable, defensible results.
