I have a random question. Within the BWCA there are loads of survey markers and benchmarks, most of which do not show up in the USGS mapping data set (which makes sense as many pre-date electronic coordinate marking.) Now, I have seen occasional descriptions online and in literature of some with descriptions such as "benchmark located at the top of a 7x5x3 ft pitted boulder 70 ft east of the portage." Does anyone know where data like that is publicly available? Is there a registry of benchmarks? The excerpts I have seen have always been quoted so they have to be getting the descriptions from somewhere. I figured I would check here before reaching out to USGS in case anyone knows an easy way to get some of that data.

The reason for asking is, I always put unique stops on my maps as places to visit on a canoe trip: old home sites, former campsites, former portages, wrecks and ruins, other historic sites, or unique trees and I have been wanted to track some of the old survey markers down, especially ones in the PMAs. I have a PMA tripped planned this May and am gathering whatever information I can find on old roads, campsites, pine plantations, portages, and benchmarks. I have most of the data I am looking for, but the benchmarks have been stumping me. Thanks for any advice.

PS: I have found some marked on DNR lake depth maps, but not every lake is covered by those.

Wish I could help, Tree Bear. Hope you'll share what you learn when you make the call.

I 2nd Yeti’s request.

I found this map by googling "National Geodetic Survey". Most of the benchmarks are near roads but it looks like quite a few are in the BWCA.

NOAA ARCGIS MAP

If you click info you can also get a photo of the benchmark which is kind of cool. Some of them are very remote. Must have been a fun job for someone.

The info tab also shows directions to find and access the marker. For example, for "GRANITE" south of Takumich lake:

TB1027 STATION DESCRIPTION
TB1027
TB1027'DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1924 (WM)
TB1027'ON SOUTH SIDE OF LAC LA CROIX, ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES SOUTH OF
TB1027'SHALLOW BAY AT SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MAIN BODY OF LAKE, DUE
TB1027'SOUTH OF TWENTYSEVEN ISLAND WHICH IS LOW HEAVILY TIMBERED
TB1027'ISLAND ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES EAST OF ANDREW WILLIAMS TRADING
TB1027'POST, AND ON HIGH TIMBERED RIDGE. BLAZED TRAIL LEADS TO
TB1027'STATION SITE FROM HEAD OF SHALLOW BAY. MARKED BY STANDARD
TB1027'STATION DISK IN SOLID ROCK. REFERENCE MARK IS STANDARD
TB1027'REFERENCE DISK IN SOLID ROCK 13.04 METERS (42.8 FEET) FROM
TB1027'STATION N 50 DEG 49 MIN E.
TB1027
TB1027 STATION RECOVERY (1995)
TB1027
TB1027'RECOVERY NOTE BY MN DEPT OF TRANSP 1995 (MPP)
TB1027'THE MARK WAS RECOVERED IN GOOD CONDITION. GRANITE RM WAS NOT LOOKED
TB1027'FOR AT THIS TIME. A NEW TO REACH FOLLOWS. TO REACH THE MARK FROM
TB1027'ELY, TAKE A SEA PLANE (CONTACT US FOREST SERVICE) TO LAC LA CROIX LAKE
TB1027'AND LAND ON THE CANADIAN SIDE WEST OF TWENTY SEVEN ISLAND, THEN CANOE
TB1027'SOUTH FOR ABOUT 1.0 MI (1.6 KM) TO THE PORTAGE FOR TAKUCMICH LAKE,
TB1027'THEN CANOE SOUTH AND SE FOR ABOUT 1.5 MI (2.4 KM) TO THE PORTAGE FOR
TB1027'TRILLUM LAKE, THEN CANOE SE ACROSS TRILLUM LAKE TO A POINT AT THE END
TB1027'OF THE LAKE, THEN GO SSW THROUGH THE WOODS (THERE IS NO TRAIL) FOR
TB1027'ABOUT 2000 FT (609.6 M) TO A HIGH ROCK PLATEAU AND THE MARK. A USGS
TB1027'QUAD MAP (TAKUCMICH LAKE) IS RECOMMENDED WHEN LOOKING FOR THIS MARK.
TB1027'RECOVERY NOTE BY MICHAEL P. PEMBLE, TYPED BY J.E.M.

Nice rabbit hole to go down on a Saturday morning!

I worked as a county land surveyor. My job was to locate original section corners. The county surveyors office should have copies of the original Cadastral surveys. These logs contain very important information about the original pre European settlement conditions of the land. Forest and prairie conditions, Native American settlements and trails, wetlands and lakes. Section corners were recorded with bearing trees. Few bearing trees remain as the surveys were conducted more than 150 years ago

Is this what you are looking for?
St Louis Co Surveyor

TreeBear: "I have a random question. Within the BWCA there are loads of survey markers and benchmarks, most of which do not show up in the USGS mapping data set (which makes sense as many pre-date electronic coordinate marking.) Now, I have seen occasional descriptions online and in literature of some with descriptions such as "benchmark located at the top of a 7x5x3 ft pitted boulder 70 ft east of the portage." Does anyone know where data like that is publicly available? Is there a registry of benchmarks? The excerpts I have seen have always been quoted so they have to be getting the descriptions from somewhere. I figured I would check here before reaching out to USGS in case anyone knows an easy way to get some of that data.

The reason for asking is, I always put unique stops on my maps as places to visit on a canoe trip: old home sites, former campsites, former portages, wrecks and ruins, other historic sites, or unique trees and I have been wanted to track some of the old survey markers down, especially ones in the PMAs. I have a PMA tripped planned this May and am gathering whatever information I can find on old roads, campsites, pine plantations, portages, and benchmarks. I have most of the data I am looking for, but the benchmarks have been stumping me. Thanks for any advice.

PS: I have found some marked on DNR lake depth maps, but not every lake is covered by those."

This doesn't answer your question but, wanted to mention the Cool spots in canoe country forum. If you're not already familiar with it? It lists many of the type of things you mentioned. I bring it up probably more for the fact that you & others could add things you have found (if you feel so inclined) more so than there is much there that most are not aware of already.