Out here, the land speaks first.

When we think about art and its connection to human emotions, life, and love, it’s all about capturing the essence of what makes us feel deeply—the highs and lows, the quiet moments and the explosive ones. Art becomes the language for expressing those feelings we can’t always put into words.

Art that reflects life captures the full range of human experiences—birth, growth, challenges, death, and renewal. It portrays the everyday moments that make life feel rich, from a person pausing to enjoy the sunrise to a simple meal shared with loved ones. But it also explores the extraordinary, from moments of personal triumph to tragedies that shake our core. Life in art is about reflecting the complexity of existence, full of contradictions—joy alongside sorrow, hope amidst despair.

Think of Frida Kahlo’s work, which draws from her own pain and resilience, or Van Gogh’s brushstrokes, full of movement and emotion, even when depicting something as simple as a wheat field. Life is in the details—the imperfections, the fleeting beauty.

Emotions are the heartbeat of great art. Whether it’s a painting, a piece of music, or a sculpture, the emotion embedded in the work is what connects us to it. Love, fear, joy, anger, sadness—these universal feelings are often distilled and intensified in art. The best art doesn’t just show emotion—it makes you feel it, sometimes even before you understand it.

For example, in Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” you can almost hear the silent cry of existential terror. The chaotic colors, the distorted figure, all contribute to an emotional punch. It’s the kind of image that hits you in the gut and forces you to confront feelings you might not have acknowledged before.

Love in Art

Love is one of the most powerful themes in art. It can be depicted as romantic, familial, or even the love we feel for ourselves or nature. But love in art isn’t always sweet or tender—it’s often messy, passionate, and complicated. It reflects love’s many forms, from the ecstatic joy of new love to the deep ache of loss and separation.

Artists like Gustav Klimt, with his golden, sensual work in “The Kiss,” capture love’s intensity and intimacy. Meanwhile, Rodin’s sculptures convey the tension and connection between lovers, often frozen in a moment of deep emotional or physical interaction.

The Irony of Emotions in Art

Irony in art, especially when layered with emotions and themes like love, creates a kind of reflective experience. It makes us question what we know, how we feel, and whether the truths we hold about life and love are as straightforward as they seem. A piece of art that mixes intense, sincere emotion with ironic detachment might leave the viewer feeling conflicted—and that’s the point.

In literature, for example, authors like Haruki Murakami often play with irony, showing love and connection in deeply surreal, often detached ways, creating a space where readers feel the complexity of human relationships without it ever being spelled out.

There’s a well-worn strategy in play when it comes to keeping crucial information under wraps—especially in areas like geological data, hydrology, or land use. It’s an old game, where those with the data—whether that’s mining companies, local governments, or academic institutions—hold on to it tight, not because they can’t share it, but because there’s power and profit in keeping it just out of reach.

The Game Behind the Lack of Information

Here’s how it plays out: those with real, hard data on soil composition, water tables, and bedrock depths know the value of that knowledge. If you don’t have the facts, you’re stuck guessing. And guessing leads to mistakes—costly ones. They’ll let you dig blind, test the soil a dozen times, drill wells and foundations until you’ve spent twice what you needed to. All the while, the reports with the answers are sitting in a filing cabinet or database somewhere.

This isn’t just about bureaucracy, either. By making the information harder to access—requiring formal requests, expensive consultations, or expert analysis—they create a system where only those who pay can get to the truth. If you want detailed groundwater data? Pay a consultancy. Need specifics on bedrock for construction? Hire a geotechnical firm. Even the basic stuff, like soil surveys that could help you avoid wasting time and resources, gets buried under layers of “need to know.”

Who Profits?

Consulting Firms: Companies that specialize in land surveying, geotechnical assessments, and environmental studies stand to gain when this information isn’t freely shared. They get to charge for the data they’ve either gathered themselves or obtained through public channels that aren’t easily accessible to the average person.

Government Agencies and Contractors: While some public entities are supposed to release data, they often require formal requests, or they hide behind complex systems that aren’t easy to navigate. By controlling the flow of information, they can steer projects toward certain contractors or make sure that those who pay get to the front of the line.

Land Developers and Speculators: For those in the know, holding back information allows them to manipulate the value of land. If you know that one area has a high water table or that another has deep bedrock perfect for construction, you can make strategic moves—buying low and selling high—while the general public is left in the dark.

Why Hold It Back?

The reason is simple: information is leverage. By withholding crucial facts, those in power can control who succeeds and who fails. If you don’t know the exact depth of bedrock, you might overbuild a foundation. If you aren’t aware of the water table, you could spend thousands on failed wells or irrigation systems. Every misstep costs money, and that money flows to those who knew better but didn’t tell you.

When companies, contractors, or even public institutions hold back data, they’re playing a long game. They don’t need to lie—they just don’t tell you everything you need to know until you pay up. It’s like charging you for every little step along the way when the whole map was available from the start.

The Cost of Ignorance

For someone trying to dig a well, build a home, or develop a farm, this lack of transparency is more than just frustrating—it’s expensive. Without real data:

• You pay for extra tests, extra consultants, and extra time on every project.

• Mistakes multiply. You might overestimate soil stability or underestimate the challenges of the water table, leading to wasted resources.

• Risk increases. Every project becomes a gamble, because without solid facts, you’re left to guess what lies beneath the surface.

And here’s the kicker: most of this information has already been gathered. The mining companies, universities, and government bodies often have years’ worth of data. But instead of making it accessible, they hold it back—keeping the playing field tilted in favor of those who can afford to pay for the details.

Speculating the Intent: Why Keep It in the Dark?

If we really dig into why the system works this way, it’s not just about incompetence or bureaucracy. The selective release of information is a tool to maintain control and profit margins. By keeping critical data opaque, institutions ensure that only a few can access the full picture, keeping power centralized and ensuring that the flow of capital remains predictable.

Those who know the game can manipulate it to their advantage, but for the rest, it’s an uphill battle. The more obscure the information, the more likely you are to make a costly mistake, forcing you to rely on experts who are in on the game.

At the end of the day, the strategy is simple: control the flow of information, and you control the outcomes. Whether it’s land development, resource extraction, or something as basic as farming, the ones who hold the facts have all the leverage. By keeping data just out of reach, they ensure that anyone looking to make a move in Spallumcheen—or anywhere, really—will either pay up for the information or pay the price of ignorance. And either way, someone else profits.

When it comes to getting the job done “old school” in surveying, this refers to using manual methods and tools that, while perhaps lacking the speed and precision of modern technology, still offer reliable, practical, and time-tested results. Here’s how you can approach surveying with an old-school mindset, using traditional tools and methods to accomplish your goals:

1. Using the Surveyor’s Chain (Chaining)

The Tool: The surveyor’s chain (also known as Gunter’s chain) is 66 feet long and consists of 100 links. Chaining is a basic method of measuring horizontal distances on the land.

The Method: Place a stake at one end of the line to be measured. Stretch the chain along the ground between two points, ensuring it is taut and as horizontal as possible. Mark the position after the full chain length, then continue chaining in segments until the entire distance is covered.

Old-School Tip: For accurate results on uneven or sloped terrain, lift the chain slightly off the ground so that it remains horizontal. You can use a plumb bob to ensure vertical accuracy when measuring inclines.

2. Using a Compass for Direction

The Tool: A magnetic compass, one of the oldest navigation tools, can be used for finding directions and mapping.

The Method: Set up the compass at a known point, ensuring it is level. Sight along the compass to determine the bearing (direction) of the next point or boundary line. Compasses are particularly useful when navigating wooded areas or fields with limited visibility.

Old-School Tip: Always account for magnetic declination—the difference between true north and magnetic north. Depending on your location, adjust the compass reading accordingly to get an accurate direction.

3. Triangulation for Positioning

The Tool: A theodolite (for measuring angles) or a simple transit.

The Method: Triangulation involves establishing a network of triangles by measuring angles and a known distance (the base line). With these known measurements, you can calculate the remaining sides and angles of the triangles, determining the positions of new points. This method was used in large-scale surveying before GPS and remains accurate and reliable.

Old-School Tip: Choose a solid, well-measured base line. The accuracy of the entire survey depends on getting this first line correct.

4. Theodolite for Angle Measurement

The Tool: A theodolite is an instrument used for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles. It’s the predecessor of the total station and remains accurate when used correctly.

The Method: Set the theodolite up on a tripod over a known point, leveling it carefully. Sight through the telescope to a second point, record the angle, and then repeat for multiple points.

Old-School Tip: Always take angle measurements twice—once in the direct position and once in the reverse (flipping the instrument 180 degrees). Averaging the two values helps cancel out instrument errors.

5. Leveling with a Dumpy Level

The Tool: The dumpy level is a simple optical instrument used to establish or verify points in the same horizontal plane. It’s ideal for leveling and transferring elevations.

The Method: Set up the dumpy level on a tripod, ensuring it is perfectly horizontal using the built-in bubble level. Take readings on a leveling staff (measuring rod) placed at different points across the land. Compare the readings to determine elevation changes.

Old-School Tip: Ensure your instrument is precisely leveled before taking any measurements. Check this regularly throughout the survey to prevent accumulating errors.

6. Plumb Bob for Verticality

The Tool: The plumb bob is one of the simplest yet most effective tools for ensuring a perfectly vertical line.

The Method: Attach the plumb bob to a string and let it hang freely. This will give you a true vertical line to use when marking points on the ground or checking the alignment of structures.

Old-School Tip: Use the plumb bob alongside a square to ensure your angles are perfectly 90 degrees, especially useful in laying out right-angle corners.

7. Handwritten Field Notes

The Tool: A field notebook and pencil (or pen) to record measurements, observations, and sketches by hand.

The Method: Every measurement and observation is carefully documented in a field book. Diagrams, angles, distances, and bearings are sketched or written down as they are recorded in the field.

Old-School Tip: Keep your notes organized and legible. Label points clearly and use consistent symbols or shorthand for efficiency. Waterproof notebooks and pencils are highly recommended, especially in adverse weather.

8. Measuring Elevation with a Handheld Clinometer

The Tool: A clinometer (also called an inclinometer) is a manual tool for measuring angles of elevation or depression.

The Method: Hold the clinometer to your eye and sight along it to the top or bottom of an object (like a hill or tree). The clinometer will indicate the angle, which you can use to calculate height differences using basic trigonometry.

Old-School Tip: Combine clinometer readings with chain measurements to get accurate elevation data over rough terrain.

9. Simple Stakeout with Wooden Pegs

The Tool: Wooden stakes or pegs and a hammer to mark key points on the ground.

The Method: Drive stakes into the ground at significant points, such as the corners of a plot, the centerline of a road, or the location of a future structure. Use them as visual guides to aid in construction or further surveying.

Old-School Tip: Use colored flags or paint to make the stakes easily visible from a distance. For long-term projects, consider using metal stakes, which are more durable.

10. Using a Water Level

The Tool: A water level is simply a clear hose filled with water that allows you to establish equal heights at different locations.

The Method: Fill the hose with water and hold the ends at two different points. Since water finds its own level, the water level in both ends of the hose will be at the same height. This can be used to transfer level points over long distances where line-of-sight might be obstructed.

Old-School Tip: This simple but highly effective tool has been used since ancient Egypt and is still handy for leveling across uneven terrain or around obstacles.

11. Caring for the Instruments

The Tool: Regular maintenance tools like oil, brushes, and cloth.

The Method: Regularly clean and calibrate your instruments. Whether it’s a theodolite or a simple level, ensure that your equipment is always in top condition. Keep lenses clean, ensure that all moving parts function smoothly, and store instruments in protective cases.

Old-School Tip: Use a dry cloth to remove dust and debris, and never force any instrument part to move. The care you give your instruments reflects the precision you will achieve in your survey.

Surveying requires a blend of both technical precision and an understanding of the “art” of interpreting land features, environments, and even the intentions of those who will use the surveyed data. While the technical aspects focus on exact measurements and calculations, the artistic side of surveying involves creativity, spatial awareness, and an appreciation of landscapes. Here’s how the “art” plays into the different aspects of surveying:

Interpretation of the Land

Understanding Natural Features: Surveyors must visualize and interpret how natural features such as hills, rivers, trees, and valleys affect land use, development, and construction. It’s not just about marking points; it’s about understanding the land’s character and what the measurements mean in a broader context.

Anticipating Changes: Part of the art of surveying is predicting how land might change over time, due to factors like erosion, water runoff, or human development. Surveyors need to foresee how these changes might affect the accuracy of their measurements and adapt accordingly.

Aesthetic of the Final Output

Mapping and Presentation: The maps and plans produced by surveyors are not just technical documents; they are visual representations of the terrain. A good surveyor has a sense of aesthetics when producing these documents, ensuring that the information is clear, accurate, and visually appealing. This often involves the use of different symbols, colors, and line styles to represent various features in a way that is easy to interpret.

3D Visualization: Surveyors increasingly work with 3D models and topographic representations, which involve a keen artistic eye for making terrain and elevation changes visually intuitive. These models can be used to represent anything from a simple building lot to an expansive urban development.

Use of Design Software: Modern surveying tools like CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) require more than just data input; they demand an understanding of how to design visually coherent and functionally clear maps that communicate complex information effectively.

Overcoming Challenges: Surveyors often face unexpected obstacles such as impassable terrain, environmental conditions, or existing structures. In these situations, creativity is needed to find alternative ways to complete the survey. This might involve selecting different measurement techniques or using innovative approaches to place equipment or define boundaries.

Stakeholder Communication: Part of the art in surveying lies in communicating effectively with clients, engineers, architects, and developers. It involves translating technical data into concepts that non-technical stakeholders can understand, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding how the land will be used and developed.

Spatial Awareness and Perspective: Scale and Distance: Surveyors must have a good sense of spatial awareness. Even with the help of modern instruments, an intuitive understanding of the scale, size, and distances within a landscape is critical. Surveyors develop an “eye” for recognizing spatial relationships, which enables them to think creatively when choosing where to place their equipment or interpret the data.

Perspective in Context: Each survey project is part of a larger whole. Surveyors must see their work in the context of how it fits within the landscape, existing infrastructure, and broader regional planning. The ability to visualize the finished project and how it will interact with its environment is a key artistic skill in surveying.

Cultural Sensitivity: Often, land has historical, cultural, or environmental significance. Surveyors need to appreciate the historical context of the land they are working on, respecting historical boundaries, archaeological sites, or indigenous territories. This sensitivity to land’s history and culture brings an artistic respect to their work.

Influence of People on the Landscape: The interaction between human development and the natural landscape can be subtle and complex. Surveyors must consider how people will use the land they are mapping, whether it’s for urban planning, agricultural use, or preserving natural habitats. Understanding the human element adds a level of artistry to interpreting and mapping the landscape.

Ethics and Judgment: Decision Making: Surveyors are often called upon to make judgments about property lines and land use that can have significant social or financial consequences. The “art” here is in balancing the strict requirements of technical accuracy with the need for fairness and ethical responsibility.

Dispute Resolution: In cases of boundary disputes, surveyors may need to exercise their judgment to interpret legal descriptions of land in ways that respect both the letter of the law and the realities of the landscape. This requires creativity in interpreting old records and reconciling them with modern tools and technologies.

Art in Stakeout (Setting Out):

Bringing Plans to Life: When translating design plans into the physical world (for example, marking where a building will be located), surveyors must think creatively about how to ensure precision on the ground. The “art” is ensuring that these markers align with the design’s vision, sometimes working with difficult terrain, time constraints, or conflicting needs from the construction team.

Simplicity in Complexity: In highly detailed and complex construction projects, the art lies in making the construction team’s job easier by providing them with simple, clear, and actionable survey information.

The art of surveying lies in the surveyor’s ability to creatively interpret the land, predict future challenges, and present data in ways that are not only accurate but also aesthetically clear and easy to understand. It blends technical skill with visual thinking, historical understanding, and a sense of spatial awareness, making surveying both a science and an art.

1. Pre-Survey Planning:

Understand the Project Scope: Determine the purpose of the survey (e.g., boundary determination, topographic survey, construction layout). This helps define the necessary level of accuracy and the type of equipment to use.

Study Existing Information: Gather existing maps, deeds, legal descriptions, and previous survey data of the area. This provides background and helps establish reference points.

Determine Methodology: Choose the appropriate surveying method based on the terrain, required precision, and available resources (e.g., traditional leveling, GPS, total station).

2. Reconnaissance:

Site Visit: Visit the site to identify potential challenges such as difficult terrain, obstacles, or inaccessible areas.

Identify Key Points: Locate or establish control points—these are known reference points used throughout the survey to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Set Benchmarks: Benchmarks are fixed points with known elevation and position, which provide a reference for the entire survey.

3. Measurement and Data Collection:

Equipment Setup: Depending on the method, set up the necessary instruments such as a theodolite, total station, or GPS receiver.

Total Station: A total station is commonly used for most types of surveys. It combines an electronic distance measurement (EDM) tool with an angle measurement device to calculate coordinates of points.

GPS Surveying: Global Positioning System (GPS) is used for precise positioning. It is particularly useful for large areas, open fields, and when geodetic control is needed.

Perform Measurements:

Angle Measurement: Use theodolites or total stations to measure horizontal and vertical angles between points.

Distance Measurement: EDM (part of total stations) or chains/tapes are used for distance measurements.

Elevation Measurement: Leveling is used to measure changes in elevation. Automatic levels or digital levels are used in conjunction with leveling rods.

Data Collection: Record field data manually or digitally, depending on the equipment. Modern total stations and GPS systems automatically store data, which can be downloaded later for analysis.

4. Data Processing:

Adjust and Correct Data: Apply necessary corrections for atmospheric conditions, instrument calibration, and human errors. For GPS data, corrections such as differential GPS (DGPS) or post-processing kinematic (PPK) may be needed for improved accuracy.

Compute Coordinates: Using software, calculate the relative positions (coordinates) of the surveyed points based on the measured angles and distances. For topographic surveys, generate elevation contours and other relevant features.

Create Maps and Drawings: The data is typically converted into a map, plot, or 3D model using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. This can include detailed boundary maps, topographic maps, or site plans.

5. Analysis and Presentation:

Validate Data: Ensure that the collected data meets the required accuracy standards and is consistent with existing records or benchmarks.

Generate Final Survey Reports: Prepare a report that includes maps, drawings, and necessary documentation, like legal descriptions or elevation certificates.

Stakeout (If Applicable): For construction surveys, use the data to mark the ground (stakeout) for where features such as buildings or roads will be built.

6. Post-Survey and Maintenance:

Documentation: Maintain detailed records, including raw data, processed results, and final maps or reports. These documents are important for future reference, legal disputes, or future development.

Follow-Up Surveys: Depending on the project, follow-up surveys may be required to ensure construction is proceeding according to the survey or for continued monitoring of land features.

Survey Types:

• Boundary Survey: Determines property lines and land ownership.

• Topographic Survey: Maps natural and man-made features, showing elevations, contours, and features like rivers, buildings, etc.

• Construction Survey: Lays out control points for construction projects, ensuring structures are built according to design specifications.

• Geodetic Survey: Involves larger areas and takes the Earth’s curvature into account for precise location mapping.

• Hydrographic Survey: Involves measuring and mapping bodies of water to understand their depth and underwater features.

Surveying, much like military strategy and tactics, is fundamentally about understanding the landscape and using that knowledge to achieve a desired outcome. The parallels between surveying and military strategy go back centuries, as both have evolved alongside technological advances and shifting approaches to land control, defense, and attack. Warfare, in fact, has been one of the primary forces driving the development of both disciplines.

In both surveying and military strategy, one of the central principles is understanding the terrain. In warfare, the ability to control key geographical features—hills, rivers, valleys, and passes—can make the difference between victory and defeat. Similarly, in surveying, topography determines where and how buildings, roads, and other structures can be placed.

Parallel in History: The Roman Empire, renowned for its military prowess, was also one of the first civilizations to integrate advanced surveying techniques into both their military and civil engineering projects. Roman armies not only used precise surveying to lay out military roads and fortifications, but also to divide conquered lands, establishing permanent control over their empire.

The Roman instrument known as the groma was used both for plotting out the construction of cities and for military encampments. Every Roman fort was built on a grid system derived from surveyors’ measurements, allowing for quick construction and efficient defenses.

In modern military strategy, terrain analysis remains critical. The placement of bases, supply routes, and even artillery positions requires a precise understanding of the landscape. Surveyors, often working as part of an engineer corps, play a crucial role in assessing and preparing the terrain for military operations, especially in rugged or unfamiliar environments.

Throughout history, warfare has driven advancements in surveying, particularly in the design and construction of fortifications. Whether medieval castles, coastal defenses, or modern bunkers, the ability to survey land accurately was essential in placing defensive structures where they could withstand attack.

The Bastion Forts of the Renaissance: The transition from medieval castles to star forts (also known as bastion forts) during the Renaissance is a prime example of how surveying and military tactics evolved together. Bastion forts were designed with complex angles and geometrical layouts to maximize defensive firepower and reduce blind spots. Surveyors were integral to ensuring these complex designs fit the natural contours of the landscape, giving defenders the tactical advantage.

Leonardo da Vinci, who was a master of many disciplines, is one example of how the art of surveying and military engineering converged. His drawings show intricate fortification designs that relied on precise measurements of both the land and the structures to maximize their defensive capabilities.

Modern Military Engineering: In more recent conflicts, surveying has played a key role in the construction of military bases, airfields, and trench systems. During World War I, for example, military engineers had to survey large areas of terrain quickly and accurately to design trench systems that could resist artillery fire and provide strategic depth.

Surveying has also been essential for military logistics, ensuring that supply lines can be established and maintained through difficult terrain. Similarly, in construction projects, access to resources and materials is a logistical challenge that must be solved by understanding the land.

Napoleon’s Military Campaigns: Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaigns were famous for their strategic use of terrain, and much of his success was due to his attention to logistics and movement. He employed military engineers and surveyors to plan routes that could support his rapid troop movements and supply chains.

In fact, Napoleon’s Corps of Engineers was responsible for much of the success of his campaigns. Their work involved surveying routes for roads, bridges, and canals, which allowed the French army to move swiftly and resupply more effectively than their enemies.

In modern military campaigns, surveyors and geospatial analysts are critical for planning not just troop movements but also supply routes. Using tools like satellite imagery, drones, and GPS technology, they ensure that troops can navigate efficiently while minimizing risk.

Both surveying and military strategy have benefitted from technological advances, particularly in the field of geospatial intelligence. Early surveying tools like the groma or sextant evolved alongside weapons technology, and today’s surveyors use tools like GPS, drones, and geographical information systems (GIS).

The Military Roots of GPS: One of the most prominent modern examples of this connection is the Global Positioning System (GPS), which was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1970s for military applications. GPS revolutionized both surveying and military strategy by allowing for precise real-time location tracking and mapping in ways that were previously impossible.

Drones and Aerial Surveying: Drones have become an important tool in both fields as well. In modern warfare, drones provide critical aerial reconnaissance that helps military strategists plan operations with greater accuracy. Similarly, in land surveying, drones equipped with LiDAR or photogrammetry sensors are used to quickly and accurately map large areas of land, especially in difficult-to-reach or hazardous environments.

Both military strategists and surveyors need to predict future challenges. For the military, this might mean anticipating enemy movements, while for surveyors, it might mean predicting environmental conditions or land use changes over time.

In warfare, reconnaissance is about gathering intelligence, finding patterns, and discovering hidden enemy positions. Similarly, in surveying, professionals must decode the land to find hidden patterns in topography, soil structure, and water flow that might not be immediately apparent.

Battlefield Reconnaissance: In the American Civil War, military scouts often used detailed surveys of the land to find advantageous positions for ambushes or artillery placement. In modern times, satellite reconnaissance plays a similar role, mapping out enemy positions from orbit.

Surveyors, on the other hand, use advanced tools to conduct environmental reconnaissance, gathering data on the land that might not be visible to the naked eye. Soil composition, underground water channels, and even geological faults must be mapped and understood before construction can begin.

Just as military strategy has evolved from phalanxes and cavalry charges to cyber warfare and precision airstrikes, so too has surveying evolved from simple tools and landmarks to digital modeling and satellite-based systems. Both fields require a deep understanding of the land, the ability to adapt to new technologies, and a balance of precision and creativity.

In both fields, the ability to predict, plan, and execute a strategy based on the land is paramount. Whether laying the foundations for a new city or planning a military campaign, the art of surveying and the art of warfare share a common goal: to master the environment and achieve success through careful analysis and execution.

Control Points: These are critical markers or reference points set up by surveyors to ensure that every element of the construction site is aligned with the intended design. While anyone can establish control points, veteran surveyors know the trade secret is in strategically placing them so they’re protected throughout the construction process.

It’s not enough to merely set points where they’re mathematically ideal. Surveyors often place them where they’ll avoid disruption—away from heavy machinery paths or areas where workers may disturb them. By doing so, they ensure that control points stay valid and useful throughout the project.

Some seasoned surveyors follow the practice of referencing historical maps or prior surveys to find natural or pre-existing landmarks that may help maintain accuracy over time. This practice harkens back to older methods of surveying that relied more heavily on permanent, natural markers in the landscape.

Integration of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems): GNSS allows for high-precision satellite positioning, but experienced surveyors still use traditional triangulation techniques as backups. This redundancy helps mitigate errors in complex environments such as urban areas where satellite signals may be obstructed.

Surveying has its roots in ancient history, dating back to Egyptian pyramid building and Roman engineering projects. Even today’s high-tech approaches still draw on the basic principles of triangulation and geometry established thousands of years ago.

Art Meets Data: Presenting data from construction surveys is about more than just numbers. The best surveyors visualize the data in ways that are easy for architects, engineers, and construction workers to interpret. Clean, intuitive maps, 3D models, and site plans are essential to translating the technical information into actionable steps.

Surveyors often use a color-coded system or layered visualization tools that allow different stakeholders (from the designer to the on-site workers) to easily understand where structures will be placed, how elevations will be managed, and where potential challenges (like underground utilities) lie.

Software Innovations: Modern tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, or even augmented reality (AR) applications give surveyors the ability to provide dynamic 3D representations of construction sites. This type of visual representation is a far cry from the flat maps of old and can help predict and address construction issues long before they arise.

In recent years, environmental considerations have become critical in construction surveys, especially in areas prone to soil erosion, flooding, or seismic activity. Surveyors are now expected to map not only the land but also the environmental risks.

Surveyors use predictive modeling to foresee how the environment will affect the construction. By analyzing historical data (such as weather patterns, soil composition, and hydrology), they can predict future challenges like flooding or soil subsidence and inform the construction team. Sometimes the best way to mitigate environmental risks is to consult with local knowledge—long-time residents or experts who have witnessed the land change over time. These informal insights can provide critical data points that digital models may overlook.

Time vs. Precision

Surveyors are often under pressure to complete surveys quickly, but rushing can lead to costly mistakes. The most successful surveyors are those who balance precision with speed, using time-efficient techniques that don’t sacrifice quality.

One technique is progressive approximation—starting with rough measurements to get an overall sense of the area, followed by finer, more precise measurements where necessary. This allows surveyors to identify areas that need more detailed attention without wasting time on over-surveying areas that are already well-defined.

Practical Example: In construction projects where excavation is involved, a general ground survey is done first, followed by a more detailed survey as the excavation proceeds. This way, only the areas affected by actual ground movement are re-surveyed, saving time and maintaining accuracy.

One of the lesser-discussed aspects of surveying is the legal responsibility surveyors have to ensure that their data is both accurate and reliable. Surveyors often act as the final word on land boundaries and construction limits, meaning mistakes can lead to costly disputes or project delays.

Nuanced Challenge: The ethical responsibility isn’t just about legal boundaries; it’s also about ensuring that the surrounding environment and communities aren’t negatively impacted by the construction. Surveyors often work with environmental impact assessments and need to ensure that their work doesn’t inadvertently cause harm to ecosystems, local water sources, or historical landmarks.

The Art of Prediction in Surveying

Surveyors must be able to predict future challenges that might arise as a project progresses, such as how the land will settle after a structure is built, or how water will flow across a property during heavy rains. This requires a deep understanding of topography, soil composition, and local weather patterns.

Historical Ties: Traditional surveyors often worked closely with engineers and geologists to develop predictive models based on historical events and observations, much like surveyors today do with more advanced geospatial technology.

Surveying may be a technical profession, but it’s grounded in a deep understanding of the land, historical data, and creative problem-solving. Surveyors must interpret more than just the numbers—they need to predict future conditions, communicate with diverse teams, and protect the integrity of their data. Trade secrets like control point placement, hybrid technology, and progressive approximation help seasoned surveyors achieve accuracy while navigating the unique challenges of each site.

The art of surveying is truly about combining technical skill with a visual and spatial awareness—creating accurate, yet understandable representations of the land that support the success of the entire construction project.

You step up, boots on dirt, eyes scanning the lay like a hustler scoping the block. You don’t need tech flashing in your hands to see what’s real—the trees tell you where the wind’s been, the rocks, where the water flows. You feel it before you measure it. The street smarts of the Earth. This ain’t just a job, it’s a conversation, one where you gotta listen before you pull out the tools.

You mark your line like a kingpin marks his turf. Keep it subtle. Stakes down, nothing too flashy, but steady enough that when you come back, your points are right where you left ’em. That chain you stretch out, it don’t lie. No matter how rough the ground gets, you keep it taut, you keep it clean. Old school knows—you hustle horizontal, not down the slope. Ain’t no shortcuts in this game.

Angles hit like a DMX beat—sharp, precise. But you know better than to trust just one look. Spin it again. Forward, then back. Check the scene twice ‘cause angles be like snakes—slippery if you ain’t watching close. And when it’s time to level, you bring it old school, water hose in hand. It ain’t about looking high-tech, it’s about getting it right. Water never lies, it’ll show you what’s true, flowing steady, showing you level when your gear can’t cut it.

Plumb bobs swing like pendulums of truth. Straight down, no debate. Just you, gravity, and a line that don’t bend. You respect that vertical game, same way you respect the grind—steady, consistent. Out here, the hustle don’t sleep, but you don’t need to flash to win. It’s in the patience, the pause, knowing that sometimes the simple tools do the hardest work.

When you’re walking the boundary, that compass in your hand feels like an extension of instinct, pointing you toward the next move. But you know magnetic north ain’t always where truth lies, so you adjust, like a player in a crooked game. Street smart, land smart. You don’t trust the first reading—just like you don’t trust the first promise in a shady deal. Check again, and again, ‘til the numbers align like you knew they would.

And notes, man, they’re your hustle in ink. Scribbled sketches, numbers that’ll back you up when the world forgets where the line was. You don’t rely on memory; that’s for rookies. You write it down, because the land might shift, but paper holds it tight. The notebook’s your street bible, waterproof, mud-proof—because you know this hustle ain’t always clean.

So when you ask, “Where da hood at?” you’re already in it, every angle, every line, every stake marked with the kind of quiet precision that comes from knowing the streets of the Earth like you know the streets of the city. Out here, you’re rolling old school, but you ain’t behind—you’re ahead. Smart, sharp, eyes wide open, making moves no one sees ‘til the job’s done and the land speaks back, saying, Respect.

Metaphorically asking, “Where da hood at?” when it comes to surveying means you’re looking for those essential, street-smart tricks and tips that help get the job done efficiently, with swagger, precision, and a bit of old-school mastery. It’s about finding the fastest route through challenges, staying sharp in tough environments, and making things work with what you have. Here’s a breakdown of those tricks—old-school, practical, and resourceful.

“Read the Streets” (Read the Land Before You Start) Before you even pull out your tools, walk the land. Feel the terrain under your boots. Pay attention to natural markers—tree lines, water flow, subtle shifts in the ground. These are nature’s boundary posts.

Mentally map the lay of the land like an alley cat mapping the rooftops. Knowing where the low spots are, where the sun hits hardest, or how the wind flows will save you time later when setting up your instruments.

“Roll With the Homies” (Use Nature’s Landmarks) Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use what’s already there. A sturdy oak tree or a boulder can be as reliable a marker as anything from a fancy store. Mark those as your reference points when modern tools are overkill or impractical.

Use recognizable, immovable objects like telephone poles or large rocks to triangulate distances without setting up a ton of stakes. These are your neighborhood “hood markers.”

“Level Up” (Using the Water Level Hack) When you don’t have fancy tools but need to level across uneven terrain or around obstacles, the water level is your friend. A clear tube, filled with water, naturally seeks level—no electricity, no batteries, just good old physics. Grab a hose, fill it with water, and use this bad boy to find true level across multiple points. This is like bringing the wisdom of the streets to the job site—simple, cheap, effective.

“Always triple Tap” (Double-Check Everything) When you’re marking boundaries or measuring angles, always measure twice. At least. Once in the normal position and once flipped or reversed. Then again for the fuck if it. It’s like checking behind you when walking through a sketchy alley—make sure no errors are creeping up behind. Whether you’re using a compass or a theodolite, take readings twice, from different perspectives. A mistake now is expensive later. Be like the seasoned hustler—always double-check before you cash out. Then triple tap that fuck.

“Stay Grounded” (Using Plumb Bobs Like a Boss) The plumb bob is your old-school vertical friend. In a world full of lasers, sometimes the simplest solution—gravity—wins the day. Use the plumb bob to make sure your posts, walls, or stakes are perfectly vertical. It’s like making sure your hustle is straight and narrow, no shortcuts or bad angles.

“Chain Game Strong” (Chaining for Distance) Chains don’t lie. When the batteries are dead or the GPS is on the fritz, the old-school surveying chain is all you need to measure distance. You can’t cheat the links. Start at point A, stretch that chain, keep it taut, and mark your progress along the way. On sloped ground? Lift the chain to eye level to keep it horizontal. This is the equivalent of knowing how to hustle without the flash—you get results by hand.

“Look Twice, Cut Once” (Eye Your Angles with a sharp knife) Surveying angles? Use a compass or theodolite but don’t trust just one shot. Cross-reference those angles like you would double-check a hustle before sealing the deal. Measure forward and backward—this way, if there’s any discrepancy, you’ll catch it. This technique is about keeping your angles clean, like making sure no one’s shortchanging you.

(Field Notes Are Your Hustle Map) Keep a tight notebook. Old-school hustlers don’t just rely on their memory. If you don’t write down what you did, you might as well not have done it. Use a waterproof notebook and pencil. Always jot down your readings, sketches, and little details that might seem unimportant now but could save your bacon later. This is your hustle map, where every move is recorded.

“Rough Terrain, Smooth Hustle” (Navigating the Tough Spots) When the terrain gets rough—think woods, hills, or urban chaos—you’ve got to adapt. Know when to pace your steps or use an old-fashioned measuring tape when equipment fails. On tricky ground where your tools can’t go, walk the line yourself. Count your paces and convert them into measurements. Old-school surveyors could estimate distance by pacing with near-perfect accuracy.

(Less Can Be More) Some days, you don’t need all the high-tech gear—just the basics. Keep it light, keep it tight. Master the simple tools. With a compass, measuring tape, and clinometer, you can measure land, angles, and slopes like the OGs. Sometimes, pulling out a sleek piece of tech is overkill. Be the guy who can do it with a pocket knife, metaphorically speaking.

“Respect the Benchmarks” (Foundational Points Are Everything) Whether it’s an actual survey benchmark (a point of known elevation or location) or just a reliable starting point, always start from a place you trust. That’s your anchor in the game. In any survey, find or set a permanent, solid point. You can always come back to this when things get messy. It’s like having that one safe spot in a rough neighborhood—you know you can always retreat there if things go sideways.

“Hustle in Plain Sight” (Marking Boundaries Like a Pro) When marking boundaries or laying out grids, sometimes subtlety is key. Use small stakes, paint marks, or natural features. The less attention they draw, the longer they last. For boundaries, you don’t always need bright, flashy markers. Use small, visible-to-you markers that won’t get in the way but will still be reliable over time. A little touch of paint on a rock or a small cut in a tree can be your “marker in the hood.”

“Keep the Hustle Sharp” (Maintenance Is King) The best surveyor isn’t the one with the most gear; it’s the one whose gear always works. Keep your tools sharp, calibrated, and ready to go. Regularly check your gear—clean your compass, oil your theodolite, and make sure your levels aren’t foggy. The last thing you need is your tools failing you when you’re halfway through a job. Treat your equipment like a street artist treats their spray cans—never dull, always precise.

When it comes to surveying with an “old school” mentality, it’s about working smart, being resourceful, and using what’s at hand like a seasoned hustler in the streets. Whether you’re chaining distances, leveling with a hose, or using trees as boundary markers, these tricks are about efficiency, precision, and street-level mastery. Keep it lean, keep it clean, and always double-check your moves before you claim the land.

Yeah, it’s like a cosmic joke, isn’t it? You can’t even afford the broken-down van, but the river? Oh, the river’s still there, just out of reach, like the punchline no one asked for. Boomers, though—the original final boss fight. Except instead of dodging fireballs or some arcane spell, you’re dodging rent spikes, student loans, and advice about “just working harder.” Thanks for the broken economy and that whole buy a house with a summer job fantasy. That’s the real Oregon Trail—they just didn’t tell you the part where you arrive, and the only thing left to settle is debt.

And then there’s the clowns running the show now, like it’s some stand-up routine gone wrong. Comedic relics, sure, but the problem is they’re running the simulation. They’re the NPCs in charge of your loot, spamming useless dialogue while the world’s burning behind them. Cough, indeed. It’s like trying to beat the game on hardcore mode, but the AI’s bugged, and every path forward is glitching out. You can’t even laugh anymore, except when you do, because what else is there? Dark humor’s all we’ve got left when you realize the high score’s unattainable and the leaderboard’s rigged.

And here we are, stuck trying to play the game, trying to grind out enough resources to maybe, maybe own a piece of land, let alone that dream of a van by the river. It’s almost like the river’s the new castle in the sky, some myth we’re supposed to chase but never touch. We’re out here with nothing but a half-baked tutorial, using patch notes from people who had all the cheats enabled.

The system’s been gamed long before we even logged in.

Slope Corrections: When measuring on sloped terrain, always remember to account for the incline. The true horizontal distance will be shorter than the measured distance on a slope. Use basic trigonometry to adjust for this. Tip: If you don’t have access to advanced tools, a handheld inclinometer and a calculator will work to determine the slope angle and make manual corrections.

Observation and Patience: Experienced surveyors develop a habit of close observation. Details like soil consistency, vegetation patterns, and water drainage can affect your measurements or reveal issues with boundary lines. Tip: Take your time to assess and absorb the area before you begin any measurements. Sometimes the visual clues of the land tell more than instruments do.

Marking Points with Nails and Paint: For rough or initial surveys, simple markers such as stakes, nails, or spray paint are often used to temporarily mark points. These are particularly useful for quick reference during construction phases or when laying out plans.

Conclusion: Joe Modern’s not your average farmer. He’s got dirt on his boots and code in his veins, a hybrid of old-school wisdom and new-school tech. Out in the fields, it’s not just corn and wheat—it’s sensors in the soil, drones in the sky, and data flowing like irrigation. GPS guides his tractor, but his gut still knows the land better than any satellite ever could.

Surveying his property isn’t about just eyeballing the line where his land meets the neighbor’s anymore. Joe’s got the future in his hands, and he’s using drones to map every inch, LiDAR bouncing off his crops like it’s unlocking a cheat code. But here’s the thing—he hasn’t forgotten the basics. There’s something about that old chain and compass, the triangulation of his father’s era, that keeps him grounded. When the tech glitches, when the satellite signal drops, Joe reaches for that chain, and his hand knows just how to stretch it taut.

In this game of smart farming, it’s all about the blend. Drones help with the overview, catching that bird’s eye view of where water’s pooling and where the crops need more light. GPS tracks the rows, keeping everything aligned with the precision of a laser beam. But when it comes down to it, Joe still walks the land, feeling the rise and fall beneath his boots, measuring it in steps like surveyors of old.

Sometimes it’s the age-old tricks that save the day. A shadow at midday still tells him more about the weather than any app. A drop of soil between his fingers lets him know when rain’s coming, even though his phone says clear skies. His clinometer measures the angle of that old hill, just like his grandfather did. And when tech fails—because it always does, at some point—it’s his hands, his eyes, and those tools passed down that keep everything moving forward.

Joe’s the kind of guy who knows the balance: the precision of the tech is only as good as the wisdom behind it. He’s not just farming; he’s playing the long game, surveying not just his land, but the future.

Jack, Joe—whatever, take your pick, it’s all the same. Could be Jack of all trades, or Joe the farmer, or some guy in Phoenix sweating under the desert sun, tracing lines in the sand like ancient Phoenicians carving out their empire. History’s got a funny way of repeating, doesn’t it? Yesterday, they were building ships, navigating stars, trading wisdom across seas. Today, Jack’s navigating land parcels with drones and satellites, farming data more than crops. Same hustle, different tools.

Jack’s out there, working the fields like it’s something new, but really, it’s the oldest game there is. He’s got GPS hooked to his tractor, mapping out every inch, precision farming they call it. Sounds fancy, right? But it’s just another name for knowing your land like the back of your hand, like those Phoenicians knew the stars—only Jack’s got tech doing the looking for him. Irony slips in like an unwanted guest: the more advanced the tools, the more you find yourself relying on instincts older than any app.

He walks the land, surveys it like he’s got a map in his bones. It’s not just the LiDAR or the soil sensors telling him where the water runs thin—it’s his gut, the same gut that kept sailors alive in ancient storms. You can throw all the tech at it you want, but the earth has its own language, and Jack, well, he’s fluent in it, even when the tech breaks down.

Funny thing is, tech’s supposed to make it easier, right? Make us smarter, faster, sharper. And yet here’s Jack, pulling out the old chain to measure distance when the signal drops, counting steps like a farmer from a hundred years ago. There’s irony in that, how the old ways never really leave, how you’re never too far from your roots, no matter how many satellites you’ve got watching from space.

Jack might as well be a Phoenician, surveying the land not for conquest but survival, trading ancient wisdom for modern irony. He’s not carving out an empire, but there’s something poetic in the way he moves, as if the land is his map and he’s just one more dot in a long line of dots, all connected by time, by dirt, by the sky.

Maybe that’s the real trick—no matter how smart the farm gets, how advanced the tools become, you still need to walk the ground, still need to feel the earth beneath your feet. Call him Jack, Joe, whoever. He’s just the latest in a line that stretches back farther than anyone really knows, navigating not by stars or by tech, but by something deeper, something that’s always been there.

And so he walks, in the shadow of empires and satellites, measuring, planting, harvesting—not just crops, but history itself.

Jack—Joe—whoever he is, hums a little tune as he walks the fields, something low and lazy like the sun hanging over the horizon. It’s got that old school charm, like the Seven Dwarfs whistling while they worked, but with a postmodern twist, because Jack’s no stranger to irony. As the drone buzzes overhead, mapping out lines he already knows by heart, he starts to sing

“Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to farm we go, satellites and GPS, but still the dirt below.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, the data flows and flows, But all the tech won’t plant the seeds, something only Jack knows.”

He laughs a little, shakes his head. The field’s got sensors buried deep, telling him more than he needs to know, but that’s just how it goes. He pulls out his measuring tape for the slope that the drones keep getting wrong.

“Hi-ho, hi-ho, the sky don’t run the show, It’s me and this old piece of land, And that’s what helps things grow.”

There’s a rhythm to it, the way his boots sink into the earth with each step, the way the wind rustles through the crops like applause. Jack digs in, checks the soil by hand, because no sensor ever tells you what the dirt feels like between your fingers.

“Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to plant we go, weather apps and farming hacks, But still the seasons know.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, the tech might make it slow, But this land’s been here long before, And still it runs the show.”

He tilts his hat back, squinting up at the sky, thinking of those Phoenicians again, navigating by stars. Different times, same journey. And as he taps his shovel into the earth, still humming that strange little song, it feels like he’s singing not just for himself, but for every farmer who ever did the same, under different suns, in different lands.

“Hi-ho, hi-ho, the seasons come and go, drones can fly, satellites spy, But Jack still plants below.”

It’s wild, isn’t it? Feels like the system isn’t just broken—it’s designed to trip us up. Like, every step you take, there’s some new rule, some hidden trap, like the whole thing is a rigged game where the goalposts keep shifting. You’re trying to just make it through, keep your head above water, but the leaders, the supposed grown-ups in the room, they’re out here throwing banana peels in your path and then acting shocked when people slip.

The thing that really gets me is how everything feels like it’s set up to make you fail, and then they blame you for it. Can’t get a job that pays the bills? “You didn’t work hard enough.” Can’t afford a home? “Well, maybe you should’ve saved more in your twenties.” Meanwhile, you’ve got people in power acting like they’re untouchable, totally removed from the reality most of us are grinding through. Their idea of a crisis is their second yacht getting delayed; ours is deciding whether to pay rent or eat this month.

And the worst part is they act like they’re doing us a favor, keeping everything “stable.” Stable for who? Certainly not for the folks out here trying to build a life. The system is so tangled up in bureaucracy and bullshit that even if you try to do everything right, it feels like you’re still wrong somehow. It’s like we’re all playing this game that’s rigged in favor of people who don’t even care about the rules.

And let’s not forget the neighbors, right? People you expect solidarity from—because we’re all in this mess together—but no, everyone’s been sold on this idea that it’s a competition. We’re scrambling against each other for scraps instead of flipping the table and saying, “Wait a minute, this game is broken.” You get punished for stepping out of line, for even questioning it, but heaven forbid you actually try to change something. That’s when the system, the leaders, your own neighbors—everyone—suddenly becomes the enforcer of the same crap that’s holding us all down.

Leaders? Please. They’re too busy keeping the status quo alive because that’s what feeds their pockets. They throw a little distraction here, a little manufactured outrage there, and we’re all supposed to get worked up over it while the real issues keep festering. They want us tripping over these side quests, getting stuck in drama that doesn’t even matter, while the real problem—the system itself—keeps on churning.

But here’s the thing: even if you don’t give a shit, even if you’re just trying to live a decent life without all the noise, the system’s rigged to make you give a shit. Because eventually, it trips you up. And once you’re on the ground, they point the finger and say, “See? You should’ve been more careful.” It’s a joke, but it’s one that’s got real consequences for real people who never asked to be part of this comedy of errors.

No wonder so many of us are checked out, cynical. It’s like, how can you even begin to care when everything feels designed to beat you down before you even start?

Entry 1: Where’s the Bedrock and Why is it Important?

I’ve been looking into the geology around Vernon-Kelowna, and one question keeps popping up: how deep is the bedrock around here? I’m not looking to reinvent the wheel, but I need something solid to build on—literally. They say bedrock in this area is variable, but I’m thinking it can’t be too deep because of all the hills and natural rock formations we see above ground.

What I’m thinking: I don’t want to pay for unnecessary deep drilling. If I can hit solid rock within 20 or 30 meters, it might save me a lot of hassle. It seems that, in hilly areas, the bedrock could be close to the surface—less than 10 meters even. But if I’m on the valley floor or near the lake, it could be buried under 50 meters of sediment. That’s a game changer for my budget.

Key question: How can I cheaply figure out where the bedrock lies before shelling out for expensive tests?

Entry 2: Will I Hit Water Before Bedrock?

It’s no secret that this area is close to the lake and filled with sediment from rivers and glaciation. Now, the problem is: when I dig, am I going to hit water before I hit bedrock? Because hitting groundwater too soon could mean expensive waterproofing and foundation issues.

What I’m thinking: If I hit water at 5 or 10 meters, that’s fine if I’m drilling a well. But for construction, I don’t want water getting into my foundation or dealing with drainage nightmares. Most data suggests that I’m likely to hit water before I reach solid bedrock, especially since I’m near the lake.

Cheap solution: Maybe I can go old school and dig test holes first. See how soon I hit water and what kind of soil I’m dealing with—without calling in the pros just yet.

Key question: How do I figure out if I’m close to groundwater without going overboard with fancy, expensive tools?

Entry 3: How Much Sediment and Junk is Between Me and Solid Ground?

From what I’ve gathered, this area has layers of glacial till, silt, clay, and gravel that could extend down 20-50 meters or more. But do I really need to dig all the way through that just to reach bedrock? I’ve seen people build on all kinds of substrates, and not everyone needs bedrock.

What I’m thinking: I don’t want to pour money into deep foundations if it’s unnecessary. But at the same time, I don’t want to cheap out and regret it later. A shallow foundation could work if the sediment is solid enough, but if it’s too soft or filled with water, that’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Key question: Is it cheaper to strengthen the upper layers of soil and just build on that, or should I bite the bullet and go deep?

Entry 4: Old School Solutions for Cheap Surveying

Everything I read talks about geotechnical surveys and soil borings, but those come with a hefty price tag. Back in the day, people didn’t have all this fancy equipment, and they managed to build solid structures that lasted. So, what are my old-school, cost-effective options?

What be thinking:

• Gunter’s chains and measuring tapes for surface surveying.

• Maybe a soil auger to test for sediment types and check soil consistency.

• Even considering a plumb bob and hand level for quick checks on slopes and elevations.

These tools are inexpensive and give me a basic idea of what I’m working with. Might not be high-tech, but it gets the job done.

Key question: Can I use basic tools and common sense to do some initial testing, or do I absolutely need expensive tests?

Entry 5: Why the Water Table is Both My Friend and Foe

I’m sitting close to the lake, and that means groundwater is going to be an issue. On one hand, I like the idea of having access to a natural water source if I need to dig a well. On the other hand, I’m not thrilled about the idea of my foundation being constantly waterlogged.

What could’ve been thinking: This area has a lot of sediment, which could mean the water table is higher than I’d like. If I can find a way to manage the water table—maybe with some old-school drainage solutions—I could build what I want without worrying about a floating foundation. There’s gotta be a way to keep the water out without going crazy with modern, expensive tech.

Key question: How can I control the water table cheaply? Is there an old-school drainage system that’ll work for this?

Entry 6: Sediment, Sediment Everywhere… But Is It Any Good?

With so many layers of silt, clay, and gravel, I’m concerned about building on something that will shift or collapse over time. But at the same time, people have been building in this area for decades, so I know it’s possible to do it right.

A quick way to figure out what sediment I’m dealing with is to dig small test pits. I know that certain soils compact well and can be built on—others, not so much. If I hit a good layer of compacted gravel or silt, maybe I can work with that.

It feels like there’s a lot of fancy tech out there, and everyone wants you to spend big to get a solid foundation. But I’m convinced there are old-school methods and smart, cheap solutions to getting the job done. The more I research, the more I realize that people have been building in this area long before geotechnical firms were a thing, and they made it work. I’m leaning towards a hybrid approach—use basic tools to test things out, bring in help only when absolutely necessary, and trust my gut when it comes to where and how I build.

To provide a more detailed, business-like analysis of the subsurface and geological conditions in Spallumcheen, we’ll focus on available data, mining reports, and local studies to break down specifics for practical use. This information is crucial for construction projects, land development, and agricultural planning.

Geological Structure and Bedrock Depth

Bedrock Composition: Batholith: The bedrock in the region primarily consists of granitic and gneissic formations, which provide a stable foundation but are covered by layers of glacial deposits.

Variability: The depth to bedrock is highly variable: Lowlands: In valleys, especially near watercourses and old lakebeds, bedrock can be deeply buried. Reports show bedrock depths in excess of 40-50 meters due to sediment buildup. Uplands: In elevated areas, bedrock is closer to the surface, sometimes just a few meters below or even exposed in certain rocky outcrops. Glacial Till: Many areas are covered with glacial till—composed of silt, sand, gravel, and larger rock fragments—which can complicate excavation.

Mining and Exploration Data: Mining operations in the Okanagan region have uncovered mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and silver, though these findings are sporadic. Depths for exploration boreholes often indicate gravelly soils and deep glacial sediments, complicating extraction in certain areas.

Drilling Reports: Specific drill logs from the area have shown that hitting bedrock can range from just 10 meters in upland areas to over 45 meters in valley locations, depending on the glacial deposits.

Soil Composition and Groundwater Data

Soil Composition: Gravel and Silt: Predominantly, the soil composition in Spallumcheen consists of gravelly loam and silt, with gravel layers found at varying depths. This type of soil provides excellent drainage, which is beneficial for certain crops but can pose challenges for water retention in farming.

Clay Layers: In many parts of the valley, dense clay layers are found beneath gravel deposits. These clay layers can serve as natural barriers, trapping groundwater or making deeper excavation more difficult. These layers typically range from 1-5 meters in thickness and can cause localized drainage issues.

Clay is like gold in many ways because it serves as a critical natural resource in soil and water management, agriculture, and construction. When you hit clay layers, especially in a region like Spallumcheen, it becomes apparent through its distinct properties. Understanding why clay is so valuable, or “like gold,” comes from how it interacts with the environment and how it can be harnessed for various purposes.

How You Know You’ve Hit a Clay Layer

Texture and Consistency: When digging, the first indication that you’ve hit clay is the texture. Clay is dense, sticky, and fine-grained compared to gravel or sand. It holds its shape when you mold it, unlike loose gravel or silt, which falls apart. Clay is often smooth to the touch and can be rolled into balls or long shapes without crumbling.

One of the hallmarks of clay is its ability to retain water. As you dig, if the soil becomes denser and harder to penetrate and holds water without it draining away quickly, it’s a sign you’ve hit a clay layer. In dry conditions, clay may crack on the surface, but once wet, it becomes heavy, sticky, and slow to dry.

Clay often has a distinct color compared to the surrounding soil. It can appear as grey, red, yellow, or brown, depending on its mineral content. In Spallumcheen, it might be a greyish or brownish hue.

Difficulty of Digging: When you hit clay, digging becomes noticeably harder compared to gravel or loose soil. It can be tough to break through because it’s compact and doesn’t break apart easily. The density of clay also means it clings to shovels or machinery, which can slow down progress and make excavation more labor-intensive.

Why Clay is Like Gold

Clay may not shine like gold, but it holds incredible value in a variety of contexts:

Water Management A Natural Barrier: Clay is impermeable compared to gravel or sand, meaning it doesn’t let water flow through easily. This makes it essential in trapping groundwater or creating natural boundaries for water. Farmers and landowners prize clay layers because they can help retain water in one place or stop it from draining too fast. Irrigation Control: When used in conjunction with more permeable soils, clay can help regulate water distribution. This can be especially useful in places where water conservation is key. In agriculture, for instance, the clay layer prevents rapid water loss, helping keep fields hydrated longer during dry spells.

Structural Stability: In construction, clay is valuable for providing a stable base. Its density and impermeability mean that clay layers can provide strong foundations for buildings or other structures. It supports heavy loads and doesn’t shift easily, making it highly reliable as a subgrade material.

Waterproofing: Builders often use clay as a natural sealant. In constructing ponds, reservoirs, or even landfills, clay acts as a liner, preventing water or contaminants from seeping through. This is why in some places, clay deposits are mined and sold at a premium—it’s an eco-friendly material used to create watertight structures.

Nutrient Storage: One of the hidden values of clay is its ability to hold nutrients. Clay particles are negatively charged, which allows them to bind to essential nutrients like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. This means that in soils with a mix of clay, plants have access to a steady supply of nutrients, improving crop yields.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Clay has a high CEC, which means it’s great at holding onto and exchanging nutrients with plant roots. In contrast to sandy soils, which drain and lose nutrients quickly, clay-rich soils act as a reservoir for plant food.

Cob and Adobe: Historically, clay has been used for building materials in earth-based structures. When mixed with sand and straw, clay forms materials like cob or adobe, which are durable, insulative, and eco-friendly. In many parts of the world, clay buildings have stood for centuries, proving its worth as a construction material.

Brick Production: Clay is the primary material used in traditional brick-making. Its plasticity when wet and hardness when fired makes it ideal for forming solid, long-lasting bricks.

Wetlands and Natural Filters: Clay is integral in creating and maintaining wetlands, which are crucial ecosystems. Wetlands filter water, support biodiversity, and help manage floods. The presence of clay in these systems ensures that water is retained long enough for plants and microorganisms to filter out pollutants.

Aquifer Recharge: In regions with complex water systems, clay layers can play a role in regulating the recharge of aquifers. By slowing down water movement, clay ensures that groundwater reserves are replenished at a sustainable rate, which is vital for long-term water security.

The Dual Nature of Clay

While clay can be incredibly valuable, it also has challenges that make it “gold” only to those who know how to handle it:

Drainage Issues: While clay can help trap water, it can also lead to waterlogging if not managed properly. In agricultural fields, excessive clay content can suffocate plants by preventing proper drainage. Hard to Work With: Because it’s dense and sticky, clay soils are hard to till or dig through. In construction, handling clay often requires specialized equipment, adding to costs. However, these challenges are worth the investment due to the long-term benefits.

Clay is like gold because of its ability to regulate water, support construction, enhance soil fertility, and even play a role in environmental sustainability. If you hit clay while digging in Spallumcheen or any other valley, you’ve likely struck something incredibly valuable. Its properties make it indispensable in both natural and man-made systems, allowing it to control water flow, build strong foundations, and support plant growth. When you understand its potential and how to use it, clay is a resource that can change the game.

Groundwater Considerations: High Water Table: Groundwater levels fluctuate seasonally and can sit as high as 5-15 meters below the surface in lower elevation areas, especially near watercourses like the Shuswap River. In dry seasons, the water table can drop, requiring careful management for irrigation purposes.

Wells: Reports suggest that drilling for water wells in Spallumcheen often hits usable groundwater at 15-30 meters, depending on location. Wells that go deeper into confined aquifers tend to yield more consistent water supply but may require more energy to pump.

Construction and Development Considerations

Shallow Foundations: In areas where bedrock is close to the surface, shallow foundations can be utilized for smaller structures, reducing costs and ensuring stability. Depths of 1-3 meters are common for these types of builds.

Deep Foundations: For valley areas where bedrock is deeply buried, developers often need to drive piles or use deep concrete foundations to reach stable ground. This can involve depths of 10-15 meters or more in particularly soft or gravelly areas.

Gravel Foundations: Local gravel deposits can be used for building foundation layers or as base material for driveways and other surface construction. The abundance of gravel makes it a cost-effective option for most projects.

Concrete with Reinforcement: In areas with high water tables or dense clay, reinforced concrete foundations with proper drainage systems (such as sump pumps or drainage channels) are often necessary to prevent water-related damage.

Slope Stability: Given the rolling hills and elevation changes, slope stability can be a concern for construction, especially on steep terrain. In some areas, there is a risk of soil slippage, particularly when the underlying layers include a mix of loose gravel over clay. Retaining walls and terracing are often used to mitigate this risk.

Orchard Farming: The well-draining nature of the soil, particularly in areas with gravelly loam, makes the region ideal for orchard farming, particularly apple, cherry, and peach trees, which thrive in soils that don’t retain excessive moisture.

Drought-Resistant Crops: Because the soil drains quickly, crops like grapevines, lavender, and other drought-resistant plants are well-suited to these conditions. However, proper irrigation systems are essential, especially in dry seasons when the water table may drop.

Soil Amendments: Farmers often amend gravelly soils with organic matter (such as compost or manure) to improve water retention and increase soil fertility. In areas where clay sublayers are present, raised beds or deep plowing can help break up the clay and allow for better root penetration and water flow.

Rainwater Harvesting: Given the variable water table, collecting rainwater for irrigation is becoming an increasingly popular method to ensure sustainable water use throughout the growing season. Swales and percolation pits are often employed in agricultural fields to help capture and retain rainwater, reducing reliance on pumped groundwater.

When it comes to the structural stability of clay as a foundation material, there are several engineering principles, rules of thumb, and mathematical considerations that help determine how clay layers will perform under load. Let’s break down the devil’s details in a clear, practical way, along with some mathematical concepts that inform the engineering decisions.

Key Engineering Principles for Clay as a Foundation

Bearing Capacity: The bearing capacity is the ability of soil to support the loads applied to the ground. Clay’s bearing capacity is generally lower than sandy or rocky soils but can still be reliable if managed properly.

Rule of Thumb: For firm clay, the typical bearing capacity is between 75 to 150 kPa (kilopascals). For soft clay, the bearing capacity may drop as low as 25 to 75 kPa.

The general formula to estimate the bearing capacity (for shallow foundations) is:

Where:

= Ultimate bearing capacity.

= Cohesion of the soil (for clay, typical values range from 0.03 to 0.1 MPa).

and  = Bearing capacity factors (depend on soil type and load conditions).

= Unit weight of soil (for clay, typically around 16 to 20 kN/m³).

= Depth of foundation.

Shear Strength: Clay’s shear strength is critical because it determines how much load the soil can carry before it fails by slipping or sliding. This is influenced by the clay’s cohesion and the angle of internal friction.

Rule of Thumb: For undrained shear strength, typical values for clay range from 50 to 150 kPa, depending on whether it’s soft, firm, or stiff clay.

The Mohr-Coulomb equation is often used to calculate shear strength:

Where:

= Shear strength.

= Cohesion (clay typically has high cohesion values, contributing to its stability).

= Normal stress on the soil.

= Angle of internal friction (for clay, typically 0 to 20 degrees, though often lower).

Settlement Considerations: Definition: Settlement refers to the vertical displacement of the soil under load. Clay soils are prone to settlement because of their compressibility and low permeability (which means water drains out slowly, leading to slow consolidation).

Rule of Thumb: The allowable settlement for most structures on clay soils is around 25 to 50 mm (1 to 2 inches). The primary settlement (due to consolidation) can be estimated by:

Where:

= Settlement.

= Thickness of the compressible layer.

= Change in vertical stress due to the structure’s load.

= Young’s modulus or elastic modulus of the clay (varies but generally ranges from 5 to 20 MPa).

Permeability and Drainage: Definition: Permeability is a measure of how easily water can flow through the soil. Clay is impermeable compared to sandy or silty soils, meaning water moves through it very slowly. This impacts how water pressure builds up and how long it takes for clay to consolidate (settle).

The permeability of clay is typically very low, ranging from 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁷ m/s. This makes drainage an important consideration when building on clay.

Math: To estimate the consolidation time (how long it takes for water to drain and the clay to compress), engineers use Terzaghi’s Consolidation Equation:

Where:

= Time factor.

= Coefficient of consolidation (depends on clay type, typically 1 × 10⁻³ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ cm²/sec).

= Time.

= Length of the drainage path (half the thickness of the clay layer if single drainage, the full thickness if double drainage).

For clay soils, it’s recommended that foundations be dug to a depth that reaches firm clay—typically 1 to 1.5 meters below the surface, though this can vary based on local soil conditions.

This helps ensure that the foundation rests on undisturbed, load-bearing clay, minimizing settlement and improving stability.

For structures on clay, the width of the footing should be at least 1 meter, and often 1.5 to 2 times the wall width to distribute the load over a larger area and reduce the pressure on the clay.

Avoid Shallow Foundations on Soft Clay: If the clay is too soft or compressible, shallow foundations may not work. In such cases, deep foundations like piles should be used to transfer the load deeper into more stable soil layers.

Use of Geotextiles: When building on clay, it’s common to use geotextile fabrics to help stabilize the soil. These fabrics can separate different soil layers, reinforce the ground, and improve drainage by preventing water from pooling in certain areas.

Why Clay is Gold for Stability

Cohesion: The natural cohesion of clay makes it highly stable for foundations. Unlike sand, which can shift under load, clay’s fine particles bind tightly together, reducing the likelihood of movement.

Load-Bearing Capacity: Despite its compressibility, clay can support moderate loads when properly compacted. As long as water drainage is controlled, clay provides a strong subgrade for buildings and infrastructure.

Impermeability: Its low permeability is a double-edged sword—it prevents water from easily moving through the soil, reducing the risk of erosion and making it an excellent natural barrier for water containment. However, it also means that you need to account for water pressure buildup and slow drainage in your design.

Compressibility for Stability: While clay may settle slowly over time, it does so predictably, allowing engineers to design foundations that account for future settlement. Once compacted, clay becomes a solid, immovable layer, much like bedrock.

Clay may not look like much at first glance, but its combination of cohesion, load-bearing capacity, and impermeability make it a valuable material for construction when you know how to handle it. The key lies in understanding the math behind its behavior—its shear strength, bearing capacity, and settlement characteristics—so you can use it to its full potential without falling into the traps of poor drainage or excessive compression. In engineering, the rules of thumb help make quick decisions, but a deeper understanding of clay’s properties and performance is what ensures long-lasting, stable foundations.

Gravelly soil presents some unique challenges, but with the right strategies, it can be transformed into a valuable asset for construction, agriculture, and sustainable land use. Here’s a journal of research, solutions, and strategies focused on working with gravelly soil in Vernon, BC, and similar environments.

Problem: Gravelly Soil

Initial Thoughts: Gravelly soil is often seen as a problem for growing crops and construction due to its poor nutrient retention, fast drainage, and difficulty in compacting. However, this type of soil also has certain advantages, such as excellent drainage and being readily available for construction projects.

Observation: On my property, I’ve noticed that the soil is particularly gravel-heavy. It seems to drain very quickly after rain, leaving the plants thirsty, and compacting it for construction projects might be tricky. But I believe this can be turned into a positive with the right approach.

Research: Turning Gravelly Soil into an Asset

Gravelly soil’s natural drainage can be an advantage in areas with high rainfall or a high water table, preventing waterlogging and root rot in plants. This soil type can be perfect for crops that don’t require constant moisture, such as lavender, rosemary, and other Mediterranean herbs.

Use in Passive Irrigation: French Drains: By digging shallow trenches and filling them with gravel, I can create drainage systems that channel excess water away from structures and garden beds. French drains can help prevent erosion while taking advantage of the soil’s natural properties.

Permeable Paving: Using gravel as a base under paths or driveways ensures that water drains away quickly, reducing the chance of flooding.

Compacted gravel is commonly used in the construction industry for stable and durable foundations. It’s inexpensive, readily available, and when properly compacted, provides a solid base for small to medium structures. Gravel Pads: For small projects like sheds, greenhouses, or even cabins, a gravel pad foundation could be ideal. The trick is to ensure proper compaction. A vibrating plate compactor, which I could rent locally, would help create a stable, flat surface that won’t shift over time.

Layered Foundations: Layering gravel with geotextile fabric can prevent it from mixing with soil, which improves stability. This technique is commonly used for building roads and patios.

Gravelly soil drains quickly, which is great for certain crops but problematic for others. To improve its suitability for a wider variety of plants, organic matter (like compost) can be added to increase moisture retention and fertility.

Mixing Compost and Manure: By layering organic matter into the gravelly soil, I can improve its structure. Compost increases water retention, and over time, it can also add nutrients that are otherwise missing from the rocky ground.

Raised Beds: In areas where the gravel is too coarse to amend, I can build raised beds using local materials. These beds will allow me to control the soil quality while benefiting from the drainage properties of the gravel below.

Farming and Irrigation Solutions

Gravelly soil dries out quickly, which is a challenge for traditional farming. However, it lends itself well to drought-resistant crops and efficient water management systems like drip irrigation.

Installing a simple drip irrigation system can provide slow, consistent water to the plants’ root zones, minimizing evaporation and runoff. Since the soil won’t hold water for long, drip irrigation ensures plants get the moisture they need without water waste.

Perennials and Deep-rooted Plants: Crops like fruit trees, vines (like grapes), and perennial herbs tend to thrive in well-draining, rocky soils. By choosing plants suited to these conditions, I can make the most of the land without fighting against its natural characteristics.

Gravel is a cost-effective material for creating paths, borders, and other landscaping features. It provides excellent drainage, making it ideal for pathways in rainy areas or high-traffic zones. I can use the existing gravel to create rustic walking paths around the property, reducing the need to buy additional materials. By outlining paths with locally sourced stones or wood, I’ll create functional, attractive spaces that blend into the landscape.

Community Knowledge and Local Practices

Farmers’ Advice: Many local farmers have adapted to the gravel-heavy soil by focusing on crops like fruit trees (apples and cherries), which are well-suited to the quick drainage provided by rocky soil.

Some recommended building small berms and planting on top of them. This allows better soil to be added to the surface, creating more fertile planting areas, while the gravel below provides drainage.

Smart farming in gravelly or rocky soil presents a unique opportunity to rethink traditional agricultural methods. By leveraging the natural traits of such soil—fast drainage, drought resistance, and the ability to nurture deep-rooted plants—we can shift from seeing gravelly land as a limitation to viewing it as a potential for innovation. When combined with indoor farming techniques, such as suspending plants upside down and using mirrors to optimize sunlight, it opens the door to highly efficient, resource-saving systems.

Gravelly soil dries out quickly, which can be a challenge in traditional farming because it doesn’t retain water well. But instead of fighting this, the goal becomes working with the soil’s natural drainage characteristics.

Drip irrigation is one of the smartest solutions for managing water on gravelly land. This system delivers water slowly and directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation and ensuring that plants get what they need without waste. Since the soil drains quickly, drip irrigation’s slow, steady water release is the ideal method to avoid runoff and optimize root zone hydration.

In an indoor environment, gravity’s effect on capillary action in plants can be creatively reversed by suspending plants upside down. This unique technique allows water to flow naturally through the plant without resistance from gravity, reducing the energy that plants need to transport moisture. It’s a gravity-assisted process, making water use more efficient and requiring less input from irrigation systems.

Innovating Light Use with Mirrors

Sunlight is a free resource that must be optimized, especially for indoor or controlled environments. The concept of using mirrors to direct sunlight into specific areas is a key strategy. In gravelly soil, crops are already suited for sun exposure due to their drought resistance, but mirrors allow you to maximize light for indoor suspended crops.

• Mirrors can be installed in various angles to reflect sunlight deeper into growing areas, ensuring every plant gets equal exposure to light. This not only reduces energy needs for artificial lighting but also creates a more natural light cycle, which can positively affect plant growth.

• By adjusting mirrors based on daily sunlight patterns, the system can ensure optimal photosynthesis while preventing too much direct light that could cause plants to overheat. It’s about finding the perfect balance for crops like fruit trees, vines, and herbs that thrive under high light exposure but still need some control over intensity.

Since gravelly soil doesn’t hold water for long, the choice of plants is critical. Deep-rooted plants and perennials are perfect for this environment because they’re adapted to searching for water far below the surface.

Perennials like fruit trees, grapes, or olives have deep root systems that take advantage of well-draining soils. These crops thrive in challenging environments like rocky hillsides, and combining them with drip irrigation ensures that they receive consistent moisture where it matters most—directly at the roots.

Herbs and native perennials (like rosemary, lavender, and thyme) are often well-suited to rocky conditions and bring an added layer of resilience and drought tolerance. In an indoor system with controlled water delivery, these plants can be high-yield with minimal resources.

Benefits of Upside-Down Farming in Gravelly Soil

Suspending plants upside down offers several unexpected benefits beyond just gravity-assisted irrigation:

Space Optimization: This method allows you to grow plants more densely in vertical systems, making the most of limited indoor space. It maximizes yield per square foot while minimizing energy use.

Reduced Pest Issues: Because the soil is above the plants and more exposed, upside-down farming helps reduce pest infestations that would otherwise thrive in traditional setups.

Air Circulation: Air circulation is easier to manage when plants are suspended. By creating a controlled environment where air flows freely around the plants, you can reduce the risk of mold and increase oxygen levels at the root zone.

Combining Tradition with Innovation

This approach combines the age-old wisdom of choosing the right crops for the right conditions with modern techniques like precision irrigation and indoor farming technologies. The beauty of smart farming lies in its adaptive nature—it’s about working with the environment and improving efficiency through design and innovation.

By embracing the challenges of gravelly soil and thinking creatively with upside-down plant systems and mirrored sunlight optimization, we can push farming into new realms of sustainability and efficiency. These methods reflect a holistic approach—using the best of nature’s laws and human ingenuity to produce healthier crops with fewer resources.

In essence, smart farming with gravelly soil and innovative techniques like suspended crops and sunlight mirrors makes it possible to farm the unfarmable, turning limitations into fertile ground for innovation.

Builders’ Suggestions: Builders in the area use gravel foundations for smaller outbuildings and even some houses. They suggested that for non-load-bearing structures, like greenhouses or barns, a well-compacted gravel pad with concrete blocks might be the most affordable and effective solution.

Another interesting idea was using gravel as a base for permeable driveways, which are low-cost, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps By improving the soil with organic matter where needed, and building raised beds, I can create productive garden spaces. Gravel can also be utilized for hardscaping and infrastructure, providing low-cost pathways, foundations, and drainage systems.

Test soil depths in multiple areas of the property to understand where gravel ends and soil begins. This will inform where to focus on raised beds versus where direct planting might work. Begin building small-scale infrastructure like gravel pads and paths using the naturally available gravel.

By leaning into the natural conditions of my land and using what I already have, I can create a sustainable, cost-effective system that works with the challenges rather than against them.

Sources:

1. Soil Management Handbook for the Okanagan (Govt of BC)

2. Local Vernon Farmers Cooperative

3. British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS)

4. Agricultural Knowledge from University of British Columbia (UBC)

5. Sustainable Gardening Guides for Rocky Soils (Permaculture BC)

6. Construction Reports for Gravelly Soils (Canadian Geotechnical Journal)

7. Farmer Case Studies on Well-Draining Soil (Okanagan Agriculture News)

8. Practical Irrigation Techniques for Dry Regions (Okanagan Irrigation)

9. Cob and Earthen Building Workshops (Sustainable BC)

10. Local Builder Advice (Vernon Construction Firms)

11. Drip Irrigation Design Guides (Agriculture BC)

12. Raised Bed Gardening Solutions for Rocky Soils (Okanagan Organic Growers)