What is a "Standard Parallel" in the PLSS?

A "Standard Parallel" within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) refers to an east-west line that serves to correct the survey grid. In the PLSS, land is subdivided into townships and ranges, and because the earth is a sphere, inaccuracies can occur as surveying progresses away from a principal meridian. To address this, standard parallels are established at specific intervals, typically every 24 miles, to help maintain the integrity of the grid and ensure that townships remain consistent in size and shape over large areas.

These lines act as reference points that are critical in land surveying, allowing for adjustments in the layout of land parcels to compensate for curvature and other local factors. By implementing standard parallels, surveyors can ensure better accuracy and consistency in the layout of the land, making them essential to the functioning of the PLSS system.