# Wyoming Land Surveys: the Sixth Principal and Wind River Meridians

> How Wyoming land is described: the Sixth Principal Meridian, the Wind River Meridian, state school sections 16 and 36, and where Wyoming land records are kept.

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Mineral Title

Wyoming land is described by section, township and range under the Public Land Survey System, from the Sixth Principal Meridian except for surveys referred to the Wind River Meridian and Base Line, and sections 16 and 36 of each township were reserved for public schools, which is why Wyoming's state school sections often carry state trust minerals.

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## The Sixth Principal and Wind River meridians

The General Land Office's 1894 Manual of Surveying Instructions, reproduced in the Bureau of Land Management's history of the rectangular survey, says the Sixth Principal Meridian governs the surveys in Wyoming except those referred to the Wind River meridian and base line, which intersect at latitude 43° 01' 20" north, longitude 108° 48' 40" west. The Sixth Principal Meridian also governs Kansas and Nebraska and most of Colorado.

Read a Wyoming description with its meridian named, then the township, range, section and aliquot part. For the arithmetic, see the [township and range guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/public-land-survey-system).

## State school sections 16 and 36

Wyoming's Office of State Lands and Investments explains the history to the Legislature this way: the Organic Act of July 25, 1868, which created the Territory of Wyoming, reserved sections 16 and 36 in each township for public schools, and the Act of Admission of July 10, 1890 again addressed the grant of those sections to the state for common schools. School lands may be disposed of only at public auction.

The trust today holds about 3.4 million surface acres and 3.9 million mineral acres. Most of it, 86 percent, is classified as Common School Trust Lands, commonly called State School Sections.

| Item | Figure or rule |
| --- | --- |
| Sections reserved for schools | Sections 16 and 36 of each township (Organic Act, 1868; Act of Admission, 1890) |
| Trust surface acres | About 3.4 million |
| Trust mineral acres | About 3.9 million |
| Share classed as Common School Trust Lands | 86 percent |

## Where Wyoming land records are kept

Federal patents, township plats and Master Title Plats are in the Bureau of Land Management's General Land Office Records. State trust surface and mineral leases are with the Office of State Lands and Investments.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Have a Wyoming title examiner confirm what a specific description covers.

## Related reading

[The Public Land Survey System (Township and Range)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/public-land-survey-system)

[Mineral Rights in Wyoming](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights-in-wyoming)

[Colorado Land Surveys](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/colorado-land-surveys)

[Oil & Gas Encyclopedia — all terms](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/learn)

## Sources

1. [A History of the Rectangular Survey System (reproduces the 1894 Manual of Surveying Instructions)](https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/histrect.pdf) — Bureau of Land Management (accessed 2026-11-02)
2. [Wyoming State Trust Lands (presentation to the Legislature, 2022)](https://wyoleg.gov/InterimCommittee/2022/03-2022042703-01WyomingStateTrustLands.pdf) — Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments (accessed 2026-11-02)
3. [General Land Office (GLO) Records](https://www.blm.gov/services/land-records/glo) — Bureau of Land Management (accessed 2026-11-02)

Educational information only — not legal, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or landman about your specific situation.

## Frequently asked questions

### What meridian is used in Wyoming?

The Sixth Principal Meridian, except for surveys referred to the Wind River Meridian and Base Line, which intersect at latitude 43 degrees 01 minutes 20 seconds north and longitude 108 degrees 48 minutes 40 seconds west.

### What are state school sections in Wyoming?

Sections 16 and 36 of each township, reserved for public schools by the 1868 Organic Act and granted to the state for common schools by the 1890 Act of Admission. The Office of State Lands and Investments manages them as trust land.

### How many trust mineral acres does Wyoming have?

About 3.9 million mineral acres, along with about 3.4 million surface acres, according to the Office of State Lands and Investments.

### Where are Wyoming land records kept?

Federal patents and plats are in the Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records, and state trust land records are with the Office of State Lands and Investments.

#### Resources

[Glossary](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/glossary)

[Valuation Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights-value)

[NPRIs](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/npri-explained)

[Inheritance](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mineral-rights-inheritance-guide)

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