Dominion Land Survey (DLS) System Explained

The Dominion Land Survey (DLS) is a rectangular survey system used to divide land in Western Canada into townships, ranges, sections, and legal subdivisions. It covers Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and parts of British Columbia.

What is the Dominion Land Survey?

The Dominion Land Survey (DLS) is the system used to divide land in the Canadian Prairies into a grid of manageable parcels. Established in 1871, it was designed to facilitate the orderly settlement of Western Canada and is based on the US Public Land Survey System.

The DLS creates a hierarchical system of land division:

1. Meridians — North-south reference lines
2. Ranges — Columns of townships (east-west strips)
3. Townships — 6×6 mile squares containing 36 sections
4. Sections — 1 square mile parcels (640 acres)
5. Quarter Sections — 160 acre parcels (NE, NW, SE, SW)
6. LSDs (Legal Subdivisions) — 40 acre parcels (1-16)

Principal Meridians

The DLS uses Principal Meridians as north-south reference lines. All ranges are numbered east or west from these meridians.

Townships

A Township is a 6-mile by 6-mile (36 square miles) area containing 36 sections. Townships are:

• Numbered northward from the US-Canada border (49th parallel)
• Arranged in east-west rows

For example, Township 24 is approximately 138-144 miles north of the US border.

Ranges

A Range is a north-south column of townships. Ranges are:

• Numbered westward (or eastward) from each Principal Meridian
• Six miles wide

For example, Range 1 West of the 5th Meridian (1-W5) is the first column of townships west of the 5th Meridian.

Sections

Each township contains 36 sections, each being approximately:

• 1 square mile (640 acres)
• 259 hectares

Section Numbering

Sections are numbered 1-36 in a serpentine pattern, starting from the southeast corner:

Quarter Sections

Each section is divided into 4 Quarter Sections, each approximately 160 acres:

• NE — Northeast Quarter
• NW — Northwest Quarter
• SE — Southeast Quarter
• SW — Southwest Quarter

Quarter sections were the standard homestead size offered to settlers.

Legal Subdivisions (LSDs)

Each section is further divided into 16 Legal Subdivisions (LSDs), each approximately 40 acres. LSDs are numbered 1-16 in a serpentine pattern.

See our guide on What Does LSD Stand For? for more details.

Reading a DLS Legal Land Description

A complete DLS address includes all hierarchy levels:

Format: Quarter/LSD - Section - Township - Range - Meridian

Examples

Correction Lines

Due to the Earth's curvature, the DLS grid requires periodic adjustments. Correction Lines (also called Correction Township Lines) occur every 4 townships (24 miles) to account for meridian convergence.

At correction lines, roads may jog east or west, and section sizes may be slightly irregular.

Where is the DLS Used?

The Dominion Land Survey covers:

• Alberta — Entire province (W4, W5, W6 meridians)
• Saskatchewan — Entire province (W2, W3 meridians)
• Manitoba — Most of province (W1, E1, E2 meridians)
• British Columbia — Peace River region only (W6 meridian)

Ontario uses a different system called Geographic Townships with named townships, concessions, and lots.

Convert DLS Descriptions to GPS

Use our converter to turn any DLS legal land description into GPS coordinates. Enter descriptions like:

• NE-25-24-1-W5 — Quarter section
• 10-25-24-1-W5 — LSD
• 25-24-1-W5 — Section

Related Guides

• What Does LSD Stand For? — Learn about Legal Subdivisions
• How Many Sections in a Township? — Township structure explained
• Search & Convert Locations — How to use our converter