In 2008, Abel Consulting Services, Inc. was hired by the City of Pueblo Public Works (Bruce Maurello) for the task of performing a Topographic Survey, complete with manhole inverts, and utility locates. The area of survey was located on the northeast side of Pueblo in the University Park area. This topographic survey was to be used by the City of Pueblo for the design of new sanitary sewer line.

Our task started with setting up a control network for the work site. Utilizing GPS/RTK equipment, we observed an NGS (National Geodetic Survey) survey monument which was suitable for horizontal and vertical observations. Observing this monument gave us the ability to put our survey on a modified state plane horizontal coordinate system, and NAVD-88 vertical datum. The City of Pueblo had given us direction to also give them the ability to put the survey on the City of Pueblo vertical datum, so our field crews took observations on published City benchmarks. After the larger control network was established, we set secondary control throughout the length of the project site. This control could be used for conventional equipment (total stations), and benchmarks for construction.

During the process of setting up control, we hired a 3rd party utility locating service to mark underground utilities. They provided utility paint marks and/or flags to denote the placement of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water, gas, telephone, etc. We surveyed existing conditions from the intersection of Bluestem Blvd and Lathyrus Ct, to the intersection of Bluestem Blvd and Sunflower Dr. Existing conditions in this area consisted of, but was not limited to, roadway elements, sidewalk, utility locates, and sanitary manholes. The next area surveyed was an unimproved area starting at the end of Sunflower Dr., proceeding southwest, adjacent to the north side of a drainage ditch and the south fence lines of existing homes, and ending at Jerry Murphy Rd. All curb returns throughout our project limits were also surveyed. All drainage features, sanitary manholes, fences, etc, were surveyed in this area. The sanitary sewer manholes in the project required additional detail. We provided invert elevations for each pipe entering and exiting the manholes, and shots on the rim of the manhole directly above each pipe. All invert data was recorded in survey field books and in the electronic data to be added to the topographic survey map.

After all field surveying was complete, the data was used to create an electronic AutoCAD drawing consisting of existing features and contours. Approximate R.O.W. and property lines were also added to the drawing. The submittal to the City of Pueblo consisted of the electronic AutoCAD drawing, copies of all hand written field notes, ASCII point files of all points collected.