---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 38"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "38"
heading: "Topographic surveys; marking elevations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/38"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — United States Geological Survey"
---

# §38. Topographic surveys; marking elevations


In making topographic [surveys](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) west of the ninety-fifth meridian elevations above a base level located in each area under [survey](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10) shall be determined and marked on the ground by iron or stone posts or permanent bench marks, at least two such posts or bench marks to be established in each township, or equivalent area, except in the forest-clad and mountain areas, where at least one shall be established, and these shall be placed, whenever practicable, near the township corners of the public-land [surveys](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10); and in the areas east of the ninety-fifth meridian at least one such post or bench mark shall be similarly established in each area equivalent to the area of a township of the public land [surveys](/usc/43/31b.md?p=10).


## Source credit

(June 11, 1896, ch. 420, 29 Stat. 435.)