Legal Land Description

In Canada, a legal land description (LLD) precisely defines the location and boundaries of a parcel of land using a structured system. These descriptions can be based on several survey grids. The Dominion Land Survey (DLS) is used in the Prairies and BC’s Peace River Region, dividing land into townships and sections. The National Topographic System (NTS) is used for mapping in British Columbia and across the country. River Lots are historic divisions along rivers, mainly in Manitoba. The Federal Permit System (FPS) is used in federal territories, and Geographic Townships in Ontario are divided into concessions and lots.

Dominion Land Survey

The Dominion Land Survey (DLS) is a system used to divide and describe land in the Prairie Provinces and parts of British Columbia. Implemented in the late 19th century, the DLS divides land into a hierarchical grid of meridians, ranges, townships, sections, and legal subdivisions (LSDs). This structured approach facilitates accurate land identification, management, and ownership delineation.

Meridian

A meridian in the DLS system in Canada is a north-south line used as a reference point for surveying and mapping land. Meridians are spaced approximately every 24 miles apart and are sequentially numbered east and west from the Principal Meridian, which is the initial reference line. These meridians help divide the land into ranges and townships, forming a grid that allows for precise land descriptions and management.

Range

A range in the DLS system in Canada refers to a column of townships that are six miles wide, running north to south. Ranges are numbered sequentially east and west from principal meridians, which are designated as starting points for the survey grid.

Township

A township in the DLS system in Canada is a land unit measuring six miles by six miles, totaling 36 square miles. Townships are numbered northwards from the US border and are further divided into sections, quarter sections, and legal subdivisions (LSDs) for precise land management.

Section

A section is a land unit within the DLS system in Canada, measuring one square mile or 640 acres. Each township in the DLS system is divided into 36 sections, arranged in a 6 by 6 grid. Sections are further divided into quarter sections and legal subdivisions (LSDs) for more precise land management and ownership purposes.

Quarter Section

A quarter section is a land unit within the DLS system in Canada. It represents one-fourth of a section, typically measuring 160 acres. Each section, which is one square mile or 640 acres, is divided into four quarter sections. These quarter sections are designated as NE (Northeast), NW (Northwest), SE (Southeast), and SW (Southwest).

LSD

A Legal Subdivision (LSD) is a specific type of land division used in the DLS system in Canada. Each section within a township is divided into 16 LSDs, which are smaller land parcels typically used by the oil and gas industry for precise location of wells, pipelines, and facilities.

Alberta Township System

The Alberta Township System (ATS) is a land survey system used in Alberta, Canada, similar to the DLS. It divides land into townships, each six miles by six miles, containing 36 sections of one square mile each. Sections are further divided into quarter sections and legal subdivisions for detailed land descriptions. The ATS facilitates accurate land management and ownership delineation in Alberta.

SaskGrid

The SaskGrid is a land survey system used in Saskatchewan, Canada. It divides the province into a grid of townships and sections, similar to the DLS system. Each township is six miles by six miles and contains 36 sections, each one square mile. Sections are further divided into quarter sections and legal subdivisions for detailed land descriptions. The SaskGrid system facilitates precise land management and ownership delineation in Saskatchewan.

National Topographic System

The National Topographic System (NTS) of Canada provides a standardized framework for topographic mapping across the country. Administered by Natural Resources Canada, the NTS divides Canada into a grid system, with maps available at various scales, typically 1:50,000 and 1:250,000. Each map sheet covers a specific area defined by unique alphanumeric codes.

Map Series

In the NTS, a map series refers to large segments of land categorized by specific numbers. Each series covers a broad area and serves as the top level of the hierarchical grid system used for detailed mapping and land description. The map series provides a framework for subdividing the land into smaller, more manageable units for precise geographic analysis and land management.

Map Areas

Map areas are subdivisions within a map series in the NTS, labeled from A to P. Each map area covers a specific portion of the land within a given map series, offering more detailed mapping at a finer scale.

Map Sheets

In the NTS, map sheets are further subdivisions of map areas, numbered from 1 to 16. Each map sheet provides detailed topographic information about a smaller geographic area within the map area, including natural and human-made features.

Blocks

Blocks are specific divisions within each map sheet in the NTS, with each map sheet containing 12 blocks. These blocks help further segment the land into smaller units, allowing for even more detailed and precise geographic analysis.

Units

Units are subdivisions within blocks in the NTS, with each block divided into 100 units. These units offer a very detailed level of geographic information, making them useful for specific and localized land management tasks.

Quarter Units

Quarter units are the smallest subdivisions in the NTS, with each unit divided into four parts labeled A, B, C, and D. These quarter units provide the most detailed level of geographic information, useful for very precise land management and planning activities.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Grid

The BC Petroleum and Natural Gas Grid is a system used for managing and describing land parcels for petroleum and natural gas exploration in British Columbia. It is essentially based on the NTS, dividing the land into standardized units, blocks, and map sheets. Each unit within a block is identified uniquely, providing a structured method for precise location identification and management of natural resources.

River Lots/Parish Lots

River lots, also known as parish lots, are a historical system of land division used in parts of Canada, especially along rivers in Manitoba and Quebec. These lots are long, narrow strips of land that extend from the riverbank inland, providing each lot with access to the river, which was crucial for transportation and irrigation. The system facilitated agricultural development and community settlement patterns along waterways. This method contrasts with the rectangular survey systems like the DLS system.

Geographic Township

In Ontario, a geographic township is the primary land division unit, historically used for administrative purposes. These townships are rectangular or square areas that form the building blocks of land distribution in the province.

Concession

Concessions are subdivisions within a geographic township. They run parallel to each other, typically in a north-south direction, and are numbered sequentially. Each concession is a strip of land that helps organize the township into manageable sections.

Lot

Lots are further subdivisions within concessions. Each concession is divided into a series of lots, which are numbered and provide the basic units for land ownership and use.

Federal Permit System

The Federal Permit System (FPS) is a land management system used in federal territories in Canada, particularly for oil and gas exploration and development. This system includes the issuance and regulation of permits and leases for activities on lands under federal jurisdiction, such as the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and offshore areas.

Geographic Coordinates

Geographic coordinates are a system used to pinpoint exact locations on Earth’s surface using two numbers: latitude and longitude. Latitude measures how far north or south a point is from the Equator, while longitude measures how far east or west a point is from the Prime Meridian. These coordinates are expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds, or in decimal degrees, allowing for precise global positioning.

Latitude

Latitude is a geographic coordinate that measures how far north or south a point is from the Equator. It is expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds or in decimal degrees, with 90 degrees north at the North Pole and 90 degrees south at the South Pole. Latitude lines run parallel to the Equator and help define locations in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Longitude

Longitude is a geographic coordinate that measures how far east or west a point is from the Prime Meridian. It is expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds or in decimal degrees, with 180 degrees east and west meeting at the International Date Line. Longitude lines run perpendicular to the Equator and help define locations in the eastern and western hemispheres.

Decimal Degrees

Decimal degrees are a format for expressing geographic coordinates using decimal fractions of degrees. This format simplifies the representation of latitude and longitude coordinates, making them easier to work with in digital mapping systems and geographic information systems (GIS).

DMS

DMS, or Degrees, Minutes, Seconds, is a format used to express geographic coordinates. In this system, degrees represent the largest units, measuring latitude and longitude. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is further divided into 60 seconds.

GPS Coordinates

GPS coordinates are a set of values that represent a specific location on Earth, provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS). These coordinates are typically expressed in latitude and longitude, using either the Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (DMS) format or decimal degrees format. GPS coordinates enable precise navigation and location tracking, commonly used in various applications such as mapping, navigation systems, and geographic information systems (GIS).

GIS

GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a technology that captures, stores, analyzes, and displays geographic data. GIS integrates spatial and tabular data to create maps and visualizations that help users understand complex relationships and patterns in the world. It is widely used in various fields, including urban planning, natural resource management, and emergency response.

CAD

CAD, or Computer-Aided Design, is a technology that uses computer software to create, modify, analyze, and optimize designs. CAD systems are commonly used in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing to produce precise drawings and models of physical objects. These digital designs can be easily edited, shared, and visualized, improving the efficiency and accuracy of the design process.

Google Earth

Google Earth is a web-based mapping service that provides satellite imagery, aerial photography, and geographic information about the Earth's surface. Users can explore detailed maps, view 3D terrain, and access various layers of information, including roads, buildings, and natural features.

CSV

CSV, or Comma-Separated Values, is a simple file format used to store tabular data, such as spreadsheets and databases. In a CSV file, each line represents a row of data, with fields separated by commas. This format is widely supported by spreadsheet software and databases, making it easy to import and export data between different systems.

KML

KML, or Keyhole Markup Language, is an XML-based file format used to display geographic data in mapping applications like Google Earth. KML files contain information about points, lines, polygons, and other geographic features, allowing users to create custom maps and visualizations.

Shapefile

A shapefile is a popular geospatial vector data format developed by Esri for storing geographic information. It consists of multiple files that store attributes, geometry, and spatial reference information for map features like points, lines, and polygons. Shapefiles are widely used in GIS software for mapping and analysis.

GeoJSON

GeoJSON is an open standard format for encoding geospatial data using JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). It allows for the representation of points, lines, polygons, and other geographic features in a human-readable and lightweight format. GeoJSON is commonly used in web mapping applications and GIS software for data exchange and visualization.

DXF

DXF, or Drawing Exchange Format, is a file format developed by Autodesk for storing 2D and 3D design data. DXF files can contain information about drawings, models, and other design elements created in CAD software. This format is widely used for sharing design data between different CAD programs.