Aliquot Part
A subdivision of a PLSS section, typically quarter sections (160 acres) or smaller divisions.
Detailed Definition
An aliquot part is a legal subdivision of a section within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). It provides a standardized method to describe portions of sections smaller than 640 acres.
Standard aliquot divisions
Quarter Section (1/4): - 160 acres (1/2 mile × 1/2 mile) - Designated as NE/4, NW/4, SE/4, SW/4
Quarter-Quarter Section (1/16): - 40 acres (1/4 mile × 1/4 mile) - Example: NE/4 of NW/4 (NE/4NW/4)
Sixteenth-Sixteenth (1/256): - 2.5 acres - Example: NE/4 of NE/4 of NE/4 of NE/4
Reading aliquot descriptions: Read from smallest to largest subdivision: - "NE/4 of SW/4 of Section 10" means: - Start with Section 10 (640 acres) - Take the SW quarter (160 acres) - Take the NE quarter of that (40 acres)
Irregular aliquots: Sections along township boundaries may have: - Lots instead of regular aliquots - Fractional sections with adjusted acreage - Government lots with assigned numbers
Mining claim applications: Mining claims commonly use aliquot parts for describing claim locations within sections.
Related Terms
PLSS
The Public Land Survey System, a method of subdividing and describing land in the United States using townships, ranges, and sections.
Township, Range, and Section
The hierarchical land description system within PLSS, identifying land by its position relative to principal meridians and base lines.
Legal Description
The formal written description of a parcel of land that uniquely identifies its location and boundaries for legal purposes.