The Surveying Department is responsible for duties as described in Chapter 59.45 of Wisconsin State Statutes, as well as others such as:
County Surveying
In the late 1840s and the early 1850s the federal government originally surveyed lands located in Trempealeau County. This survey was designed in a rectangular fashion, now more commonly referred to as the U.S. Public Land Survey System. This system was devised to provide a basis for providing title to land as well as a means by which title can be related to the parcel it describes. One of the major requirements of this system was the establishment of monuments marking the corners of this rectangular system. These corners are the foundation for virtually all real property ownership in the county. One of the main duties of the County Surveyor’s Office is to protect and perpetuate these corner monuments. The County Surveyor’s Office is currently in the process of a complete dependent re-survey of the U.S. Public Land Survey System corners in the county.
Dependent Resurvey of United States Public Land Survey System (USPLSS) corners. (Remonumentation Project)
The two main goals of the remonumentation project are:
- Remonument each original government corner within Trempealeau County
- Determine coordinate values for each original government corner
Upon completion of these goals, the following products are provided for public use:
1). U.S. Public Land Survey Monument Record Form
Details type of monument placed or found at USPLSS corner. Describes various types of evidence considered for acceptance of corner position. Shows a plan view drawing providing reference ties to witness monuments. Indicates any material discrepancies between corner as restored and the location of that corner as previously restored. Shows the chronological corner history.
2). Section Data Sheets
Shows bearings and distances between section and quarter section corners for each section. Shows monument type at each corner.
3). Township maps and Subdivision Ordinance maps.
Below is link to a map of the townships that have been remonumented within Trempealeau County. In these townships, the Trempealeau County Subdivision Ordinance is in effect and a Certified Survey Map (CSM) is required for land divisions.
4). Trempealeau County Coordinate lists
Lists the coordinate value for each USPLSS corner based on the Trempealeau County Coordinate System.
Survey Records
USPLSS Monument Records – indexed by numeric grid system referenced to a county hard copy base map.
Section Data Sheets – indexed numerically by Township, Range and Section.
Township Maps – indexed numerically by Township and Range.
Small Maps - legal size maps indexed numerically with S prefix.
Large Maps – All other maps of various sizes indexed numerically with L prefix.
Certified Survey Maps – Copies of recorded Certified Survey Maps indexed by Certified Survey Map volume and page.
Certified Survey Map and Plat Review
Prior to recording all certified survey maps and plats are reviewed by the County Surveying Department for compliance with the County Subdivision Ordinance, State Statutes and Minimum Standards for property surveys.
Click here for an application.
Surveying records are available for viewing and research during regular county business hours. The County Surveyor’s weekly office day is Wednesday. Please call ahead for appointments.
