Meridians and baselines Dominion Land Survey

this monument marks north end of second meridian



a border marker in lloydminster

the important north–south lines of survey meridians:

the first (also principal or prime) meridian @ 97°27′28.41″ west, west of winnipeg, manitoba.
the second meridian @ 102° west, forms northern part of manitoba–saskatchewan boundary.
the third meridian @ 106° west, near moose jaw , prince albert, saskatchewan.
the fourth meridian @ 110° west, forms saskatchewan–alberta boundary , bisects lloydminster.
the fifth meridian @ 114° west, runs through calgary (barlow trail built on meridian) , stony plain, alberta (48th street).
the sixth meridian @ 118° west, near grande prairie, alberta , revelstoke, british columbia.
the seventh meridian @ 122° west, between hope , vancouver, british columbia, (lickman rd, chilliwack )
the coast meridian @ approximately 122°45′ west, established before british columbia joined confederation, surveyed north point 49th parallel intersects sea @ semiahmoo bay.

the meridians determined painstaking survey observations , measurements, , in reference other benchmarks on continent, determined using 19th century technology. accurate benchmarks @ time near prime meridian in europe. benchmarks in other parts of world had calculated or estimated positions of sun , stars. consequently, although remarkably accurate time, today known several hundred metres in error. before survey completed established purposes of laws based on survey, results of physical survey take precedence on theoretically correct position of meridians. precludes, example basis boundary dispute between alberta , saskatchewan on account of surveying errors.

the main east–west lines baselines. first baseline @ 49° north, forms of canada–united states border in west. each subsequent baseline 24 miles (39 km) north of previous one, terminating @ 60° north, forms boundary yukon, northwest territories, , nunavut.