GeoNet BC

This page provides information about B.C.'s GeoNetBC system. The system allows users to access, search and transform geodetic control data for accurate geographic positioning in B.C.

GeoNetBC has replaced the previous Management of Survey Control Operations and Tasks (MASCOT) database system after over 30 years of service. As a cloud-based system, it offers surveyors and engineers the data needed to plan and design community spaces, transportation systems and infrastructure projects in a way that allows them to integrate efficiently and benefit the community. This includes housing developments, floodplain control measures, essential services and the delineation of treaty lands. 

GeoNetBC has also made it easier to adopt new mapping and measurement technologies since it supports future reference points and systems. 

Users are encouraged to provide feedback on the new system via email to GeoBCinfo@gov.bc.ca with GeoNetBC Feedback in the subject line. 

Launch GeoNet BC

On this page

• About the GeoNet BC system
• How to use the GeoNet BC system
• Technical details
• Contact

About the GeoNet BC system

The GeoNetBC system consists of a network of over 50,000 survey control monuments in the valleys and mountains of B.C. This network was established from mapping and control surveys conducted over the last century.

History

In the 1960s, through a partnership between the B.C. government and local governments, the physical control system was extended to developing areas. GeoNetBC is a database of the provincial control survey's physical system. It provides:

• Published latitude, longitude, and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates
• Elevations
• Related data for public access and use

At the national level, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) maintains the Canadian Spatial Reference System, Canadian Active Control System and other geodetic tools:

• NRCan Geodetic Reference Systems

How to use the GeoNet BC system

For more information on how to use the GeoNet BC system, consult the User Guide to the GeoNetBC web interface (PDF, 1.7MB).

Search methods

You can search for a geodetic control monument to get its final coordinates using three different methods:

Geodetic Control Monuments (GCM) Details

The search methods above provide links to the GCM Details page for each geodetic control monument. This page provides complete information on the current status and the survey history of the GCM, as recorded in the GeoNet BC database. 

Sketch cards

Sketch cards, also known as marker location diagrams, provide detailed drawings of the survey markers' locations. These cards help users visually identify and locate geodetic control monuments.

Sketch cards are available through the GCM Details page and can be downloaded directly as an image file, or, optionally, included in the printed GCM Details report. 

Here is a Sketch Card Example (PNG, 20KB) for reference.

Transform coordinates

Datums are reference systems that define a geodetic network. GeoNet BC provides tools for viewing horizontal coordinates and heights of geodetic control monuments in several different horizontal and vertical datums. These tools are accessible through the Coordinate Transformations section of individual GCM Details pages. 

Here is a GCM Details Sample Page (PNG, 84KB) for reference.

Options available through the Coordinate Transformations tool:

• Coordinate type
  • Geographic latitude/longitude
  • UTM Northing/Easting
• Horizontal Reference Frame
  • NAD83(CSRS)
  • ITRF2020 (ITRF2020 is equivalent to the NATRF2022 datum when Epoch is set to 2020.0)
• Vertical Datum
  • CGVD28
  • CGVD2013
• Geoid
  • HT2_1997
  • HT2_2002v70
  • HT2_2010v70
  • HTMVBC00_Abb

*HTMVBC00_Abb geoid is only accessible when viewing GCMs within the Lower Mainland

• Epoch
  • 1997.0
  • 2002.0
  • 2010.0
  • Custom (use the date picker to define a custom epoch)

*Epochs other than 1997.0 and 2002.0 are only accessible when the CGVD2013 vertical datum is selected

Note that the tools rely on NRCan’s TRX and GPS-H web services, including the current version of the Canadian Velocity Grid (CVG), to model transformations to datums and epochs other than the published coordinates. 

GeoNet BC does not provide tools for transforming coordinates to the older North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27). The National Transformation Version 2 (NTv2) software and data package provides a national standard for transforming coordinates between NAD27 and NAD83.

NTv2 software is provided by Natural Resources Canada. There is no cost to use NTv2.

Use the NTv2 online computation tool.

Technical details

Update cycle

A daily update occurs when any attribute of a Geodetic Control Marker (GCM) is changed. This attribute may be:

• Horizontal coordinates
• Elevation
• Marker location description, or
• Marker condition

Any change to a GCM is reflected in all textual and graphical data access the day after the change. The daily update ensures that data is always up-to-date.

Survey utilities

Sample files and download formats

• Sample GCM Details Report (PDF, 3.6MB)
• Sample Excel GCM Export File (XLSX, 19KB)
• Sample Comma-separated Text (.csv) GCM Export File (CSV, 26KB)

Contact

The GeoNetBC system and associated geodetic data are managed by GeoBC.

General enquiries: GeoBCinfo@gov.bc.ca 

• About GeoBC ​​