NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of meander lines in surveying?

1. To create legal property boundaries

2. To facilitate the measurement of water bodies

3. To indicate government property

4. To establish building codes

The correct answer is: To facilitate the measurement of water bodies

The primary purpose of meander lines in surveying is indeed to facilitate the measurement of water bodies. Meander lines are typically established along the edges of rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. These lines help to define the sinuous and irregular boundaries of such natural features. By using meander lines, surveyors can create a systematic way to measure and describe the extent of water bodies without the need to account for every bend and curve in the shoreline. This simplifies the process of surveying these areas and effectively communicates the location and boundaries of water bodies for legal and administrative purposes. Establishing these lines in surveys also assists in regulating land use and managing resources adjacent to water bodies. This clarification highlights the role meander lines play in surveying practices, particularly in relation to defining boundaries and facilitating accurate measurements, thereby reaffirming option B as the most appropriate choice.