About the Division of
Geology and Land Survey

Welcome to the Division of Geology and Land Survey (DGLS). We are one of the divisions in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Our work and products are developed for professional, technical and educational use. We provide technical oversight of many geologic investigations and issues in the state, assist Missourians with the understanding of our subsurface resources, and serve as the technical assistance agency for the department.

A primary responsibility of our agency is to investigate and report on the state's geological resources. We conduct more than 500 geologic site investigations each year in an effort to locate waste disposal facilities in safe environments. We create geologic maps of bedrock and unconsolidated materials, and develop maps that identify areas susceptible to geologic hazards. This includes areas that are collapse-prone or subject to earthquake damage and landslides. The users of these maps include geologists, engineers, planners, real estate developers, legislators, the general public and various government agencies.

We maintain original records of all of the original land survey monuments in Missouri. There are records on more than 1.8 million land surveys in the state. We replace monuments that are lost, develop geodetic surveys and maintain the Missouri Coordinate System. We also provide survey information to the public, land surveyors and others. Minimum survey standards are set by statutes. We participate in county surveyor partnerships that assist in reestablishing lost survey corners.

We sell Missouri topographic maps, along with a variety of technical and general-interest maps, publications and books at our sales desk in our main building at Rolla. If you visit DGLS, you will find educational displays in our Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology. These include rocks, minerals, fossils, and descriptions of the geologic history of Missouri.

Our Land Survey Program maintains a library of survey field books and plats dating back to 1815 and displays of historic markers and interesting survey instruments.

At our McCracken Core Library, we have 2.5 million feet of drill core samples cataloged and stored for you to examine. Drill cores are used for the study of the rock layers beneath the surface of the state, to help define the physical properties of aquifers, to provide data for waste disposal site studies, to assist in characterizing our mineral resources, and for educational purposes. Examination of rock core in this library saves considerable time and money and often eliminates the need for new drill holes.

We invite you to visit our Rolla headquarters. We have been serving the citizens of Missouri since 1853 and are proud of the expertise of our agency. If you cannot visit us in Rolla, perhaps we will meet you on a site where we spend a good deal of time outside the office working with citizens.

Geological Survey Program  |  Land Survey Program
111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla, Missouri
Rolla Map  |  Google Map
573-368-2100