Missouri River Commission SANDIG Jerry Penry
Nebraska surveyors Ryan Lorenzen, Gene Thomsen, and Jerry Penry, along with Montana surveyor Kurt Luebke and the landowner excavated the original monument and reset a new cap in concrete over the drill hole in the stone. The USC&GS monument "Sand" was also recovered as well as the two reference marks.
Triangulation Station
1890
March 23, 2015
Triangulation station "SANDIG" is located approximately 4 miles south of Decatur, Nebraska, and 5 miles west of the Missouri River. The original Missouri River Commission triangulation station established in 1890 was a capped iron pipe over a lower flat stone. The name "Sandig" comes from the owner of the land in 1890. In 1934, USC&GS established their own triangulation station designated "Sand" approximately 77' south of the Missouri River Commission monument. At an unknown date, the Missouri River Commission pipe was struck by something and bent badly. The cap was missing and could not be found, so it may have been removed prior to the pipe being struck. Below the iron pipe was the original 1890 flat stone.
Aerial view showing the location of "Sandig" south of the town of Decatur.
The excavation begins at the location of the bent iron pipe.
The top of the 1890 Missouri River Commission pipe.
Ryan Lorenzen is digging for the stone as the landowner (left with pipe) and Gene (center) observe.
Ryan and Gene continue the excavation for the 1890 stone.
The recovered lower stone sees the light of day for the first time in 125 years.
Gene cleans out the dirt that has plugged the pipe due to the absence of the cap.
Gene Thomsen resets the pipe over the drill hole by placing the smashed end down.
Tie nails off to the side ensure that the pipe is centered directly over the drill hole.
Ryan and Gene obtaining a GPS position on the drill hole in the stone.
Ryan and Kurt backfilling soil around the pipe.
The box is ready for concrete.
Setting the new cap made for the 1890 Missouri River Commission position.
Closeup of the new cap.
The landowner posing with the monument.
Triangulation station "Sand" by USC&GS in 1934 is next to the cedar tree while the 1890 monument is in the background.
USC&GS station "Sand".
Closeup of triangulation station "Sand".
Reference Mark No. 1.
Reference Mark No. 1.
Reference Mark No 1.
Reference Mark No. 2.
Reference Mark No. 2.
Reference Mark No. 2.
A burr oak tree noted in the 1934 description for "Sand" with triangle blaze.
Closeup of the triangle blaze.
Trimming the cedar tree that is next to USC&GS station "Sand".
Location of USC&GS station "Sand" next to the cedar tree.
The excavation and remonumentation crew: Ryan Lorenzen, Gene Thomsen, Jerry Penry, Kurt Luebke.
Looking northeast over the 1890 monument toward the obscured Missouri River 4 miles away.
© Jerry Penry 2015
