Mapping Ancient Property Lines with Arrow 100
A Swedish company called MittNorr Skog & Fastighet AB is using modern GPS technology to solve an old problem – finding property boundaries in Sweden’s vast forests. These boundaries, often marked by stone piles or wooden poles from the 1800s, are crucial for determining who can cut down trees where.
The challenge is that many of these old markers have been lost, destroyed, or hidden by vegetation over time. This can lead to confusion and disputes among landowners about where their property lines actually are.
To tackle this issue, MittNorr’s surveyors use high-precision GPS devices that can work even under dense tree cover. They combine this technology with old maps and their knowledge of how boundaries were traditionally marked to locate the original property lines.
The process involves walking through the forest, using the GPS to guide them along where the boundary should be. When they find an old marker, they record its location precisely. If a marker is missing, they can use the GPS and old maps to figure out where it should have been.
Once they’ve mapped out the boundary, they mark it clearly with ribbons. Later, contractors come to clear a path along the boundary and mark it with fiberglass poles and painted trees. This ensures the boundary will remain visible for decades to come.
This work is important because it helps forestry companies know exactly which land they can work on, prevents disputes between neighbors, and maintains the accuracy of Sweden’s property records. By combining old-fashioned detective work with modern technology, MittNorr is helping to solve a centuries-old challenge in Swedish land management.
The Arrow 100 GNSS receiver emerged as the ideal solution for MittNorr’s challenging task of mapping property lines in Sweden’s dense forests. After testing various options, including a Garmin device and another trial receiver, MittNorr found that the Arrow 100 struck the perfect balance between accuracy and performance under heavy canopy.
Key features that made the Arrow 100 stand out:
- Submeter accuracy: By connecting to the Swedish RTK network (SWEPOS), the Arrow 100 provided highly precise measurements, even in challenging forest environments.
- iOS compatibility: The device seamlessly integrated with MittNorr’s iPads, enhancing portability and ease of use.
- Superior canopy performance: Unlike other solutions, the Arrow 100 maintained accuracy under dense forest cover, a crucial factor for forestry applications.
- Versatility: The Arrow 100 worked well with various data collection apps, ultimately pairing with iCMTGIS PRO for a streamlined workflow.
- DGNSS corrections: Utilizing DGNSS corrections from SWEPOS, the Arrow 100 overcame limitations posed by the southern position of EGNOS satellites.
The Arrow 100’s capabilities allowed MittNorr to efficiently establish fixed points for property corners and validate boundary lines, significantly improving their forestry surveying process. This technology upgrade enabled the firm to tackle the complex task of mapping historic property lines in Sweden’s vast forests with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.
Read the full case study here.