Taurus Geomatics

07/25/2026

We can’t thank the Cypress Hills Cottage Owners' Association enough for their continued support.

Whether it is preparing Real Property Reports or assisting with new build construction we are continually humbled to have your trust 😊.

Reminder: CHCOA Annual General Meeting is TODAY, Saturday, July 25 at 11:00 AM in the Cypress Room at The Resort at Cypress Hills. All members welcome — memberships can be purchased at the door by cottage owners for $25.

A big thank you to our sponsors: The Resort at Cypress Hills for donating the Cypress Room, and Ta**us Geomatics for sponsoring the coffee & cookies. See you there! 🌲

07/20/2026

“Why do YOU put the corners so far under the ground!?”
Is another common phrase we hear all the time.
Remember 90% of modern cadastral surveying is finding the monument that was left behind by the original surveyor. If everything goes according to plan we don’t need to set new monuments; we just need to confirm the original ones.
“Ok, so why did THEY put it down so far?
THEY didn’t 😊. It was common practice for the surveyors of old to leave monuments sticking up out of the ground a few inches, such that landowners could locate them and rely upon them.
In cases like the photos attached it’s not a function of a surveyor placing the monument deep below the surface but rather the surface being raised up by fill after the monument was planted 🪏.
If you have any questions about your property boundaries don’t be afraid to reach out.

07/10/2026

For us, GNSS surveying always starts with a control point.
A control point is a stable monument, typically buried under the ground, where the base receiver is set up and left all day. While the base is set up it acts as a stationary reference point for all other observations; it also collects information from the satellites and sends a signal to the mobile receiver or “rover.”
At Ta**us Geomatics, we put a lot of thought into selecting positions for our control points, as it can save a lot of time down the road. Somethings you need to consider when selecting a spot are:

▪️Is it accessible at all times of the year?

▪️Is it free of obstructions that would degrade signal quality?

▪️Is it as central to the Township as possible?

▪️Is it elevated above the majority of the surrounding land?

▪️Is it on public land?

Ta**us Geomatics currently has over 100 control points scattered throughout Southwest Saskatchewan. Most are for rural surveying, but every townsite that we survey in has one as well.
The very first control point we ever established was not in Maple Creek, but in Eastend. It’s been doing its job for 6 years now and we hope to continue using it for decades to come.

06/26/2026

You don't have to go too far to find monuments from the original Dominion Land Survey.
The Original Iron Post at the NE 25-6-22 has been quietly doing its job since June 14th, 1902. Not only is the original monument still present, but so too are the pits that were dug to assist in locating the position. Photos don't always do them justice but when there is ample rainfall the vegetation inside of them will often produce a darker hue making them more obvious in photos.

06/24/2026

The tripods are getting packed up for a few days.
Upon our return fieldwork priority will be given to existing construction projects.
If you are looking to book a survey this summer text or email your specifics and we will take a look at your requests once we get back.

06/18/2026

You only get one chance to build it right the first time 🔨 🦺
Involving a Professional Land Surveyor from the start can ensure that your new build meets all local regulations and bylaws.
Even if setbacks aren’t a concern, having a surveyor lay out your building can save the other trades time, which ultimately saves you money.

06/03/2026

We are set up at the Urban Municipal Administrator’s Association of Saskatchewan’s (UMAAS) annual conference in Saskatoon today and tomorrow.

Stop on by booth #50 if you have any questions about the cadastral fabric or your role in maintaining it.

06/02/2026

Planted on September 21st, 1910 by George H. Watt, DLS and his 19 person crew (8 of which were "lineman" employed to slash line through the bush, so that the survey crew could see)
Surrounding this monument you will find four pits that are in extremely good condition as well as a mound. Given that this area is classified as "bush" the actual iron monument is planted on the Northern edge of the mound; not the center, as is the case with "prairie" pits and mounds.

05/26/2026

Planted by George Pierre Roy DLS and his 11 person crew on July 13th, 1907.

The monument at the NE of 33-49-13 had been bent by a falling tree, but it left a good “I hole,” which meant the position wasn’t “lost.”

Monuments from this era are often hollow. Any attempt to straighten them causes them to snap. As such, a new solid monument was planted in the former’s stead. It was marked “###III, XLIX, XIII” just like the older one.

In George’s own words “The Northern sections [in the township] contain heavy timber and thick brush with few openings.”

05/12/2026

“I can’t find the metal peg that should be at the corner of my lot...”
Is a common sentiment we hear from homeowners all the time.
In many circumstances metal was never planted during the original survey. Instead of using metal at every lot corner, many urban subdivisions were posted with wood and the surveyors only utilized metal monuments at the corners of each block.
Wood is not as hardy as metal and thus deteriorates rapidly depending on soil conditions and a whole plethora of other factors.
Can you find wooden posts? Yes, sometimes. However, as time marches on, it becomes increasingly difficult.
If you have any questions about what governs your property boundaries shoot us a message and we can start researching you parcel.
Photo: Trace of Wooden Post planted by Jacob Doupe SLS #21 in 1904 recovered in May of 2026.