Readings show Four Corners marker off by 2.5 miles

[trackrunner]

Readings show Four Corners marker off by 2.5 miles
The Associated Press

Updated: 04/20/2009 10:53:34 AM MDT
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12183561


Tourists who want to put a hand or foot in each of four states at the Four Corners area are apparently off the mark -- by about 2.5 miles.

According to readings by the National Geodetic Survey, the Four Corners marker showing the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah is about 2.5 miles west of where it should be.

The only place in the United States where four state boundaries come together was first surveyed by the U.S. government in 1868 during the initial survey of Colorado's southern boundary line.

The intended location was 109 degrees west longitude and 37 degrees north latitude. But, because of surveying errors, the popular tourist spot is a bit off.

The accurate location would be downhill to the east of U.S. 160 in Colorado and northeast of the San Juan River as it flows into New Mexico.

[accadacca]

Whoops.

[Iceaxe]

That's not entirely accurate....

The monument is at the location where the 4 states actually touch. And that is the bench mark as far as the USGS is concerned....

The article should probably state the original intended location was..... yada, yada....

This is a pretty common deal in surveying.... but considering when this area was originally surveyed and the equipment used the accuracy is considered remarkable by most surveyors.

[Mtnman1830]

D'oh!

[R]

So where ARE we???

[accadacca]

Both those pictures are invalid now... might as well shred them

[Sombeech]

SON OF A BITCH

[DiscGo]

[denaliguide]

So where ARE we???

state of confusion is the first thing that pops into mind.

[KapitanSparrow]

Had to spoil it for me just a few weeks before I go there? Now it's off my list of places to see! What will I tell me mom?

[trackrunner]

The article should probably state the original intended location was..... yada, yada....

This is a pretty common deal in surveying.... but considering when this area was originally surveyed and the equipment used the accuracy is considered remarkable by most surveyors.

I think Ice got this right. After I posted the article I looked at the map and where it said the location should be and quite a bit of Colorado should be in Utah. I highly doubt they are going to move the boundries and border towns that were once in Colorado to Utah. So the border will stay the same and the monument is in the right location.