, 1896-10-07
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
THE NEW METHOD ORIGINATING
WITH STATE ENGINEER
MEAD.
M. C. McFarlane Running Levels From
Union Pacific Track, Cheyenne, to
Goshen Hole, Where Elevation
Monuments of Iron Will be Plant
ed on Survey Corners.

M. C. McFarlane. for two years assist
ant to State Engineer Mead, is now in
the employment of the United States
geological survey, and is engaged in
very important work in Wyoming,
say the Cheyenne Tribune. For
some time past Prof. Mead has been
urging upon the geological survey the
ACCESSIBILITY of establishing upon the
lines of their surveys permanent monu-
ments recording elevations. These mon
uments were also recommended to be
located upon the lines of the public land
surveys in order that the elevation
monuments could be utilized by set
tiers and by those wishing to promote
larger irrigation enterprises.
The past work of the geological sur
vey has, to a large extent, been value
less because no permanent record of
the work done in the field was made.
The monuments were not only temper
airy in character but were located
wherever necessary to promote imme-
date progress and without a thought of
future retracement or utilization. Total
obliteration was the immediate result
Of this method of work and about all
that was left was the series of fine
maps, diagrams and interesting text
matter which was absolutely useless
from the standpoint of settlement of
the public lands and the increase of
taxable wealth.
Less than a year ago. however, the
plans suggester by Prof. Mead were
finally adopted. Congressman Mondell
rendering valuable assistance in i'm
pressing the survey with the desirable
ity Of a change along the lines suggest
ed.
1t was fitting that the very first work
done in the United States under the new
plan should be done in Wyoming, and
SO 1t Is. Mr.. McFarlane is now running
levels from the Union Pacific tracks at
Cheyenne, as a bench mark, toward
Goshen Hole In the northeast corner OF
Laramie county. The elevation of these
tracks vas determined by Union Paci-
fc levels and barometric observations
and the exact elevation of that great
but undeveloped irrigation district will
be definitely established. This, how
ever, will only furnish the starting
point for McFarlane's work. On arrival
at the rim Of the great basin called
Goshen Hole he will plant an iron mon
ument upon a township corner of the
public land survey and thence run a
base line along a township line, setting
elevation monuments upon the town
ship orners This line he will use as a
base line from which to extend his
levels both east and west, over the en-
tire valley. Elevation monuments will
be planted at every township corner
therein.
These monuments are of iron, four
feet long, and will project two feet
from the ground. To each monument
Is permanently affixed a brass plate
marked U. 8. G. s., for United States
geological survey, and the exact eleva-
ton of the corner will be stamped
thereon.
The value of a survey of this char
acter from an irrigation standpoint
cannot be overestimated. Here will be
a complete record upon which to base
irrigation works, and 1t will be the work
Of a very short time to determine from
these monuments the possibilities Of
the country thus surveyed. Not only
this, the monuments being permanent
In character and established at the
township corners, will permanently fix
the public land surveys also. Hereafter
retracements Of the subdivision lines
in these localities will be easy and GER
tain. and conflicts will be avoided.
Another party is now beginning a
similar work in the Big Horn basin.
Levels are being run south from the
Northern Pacific, and monuments will
be planted yer a portion OF the Sho-
shone basin.