A witness corner is typically located how far from the true corner?

• A. 1 chain
• B. 5 or 10 chains
• C. 100 feet
• D. 1 mile

Answer: (B)

A witness corner is placed as a backup reference near the true corner. The idea is to keep the true corner protected and still have a reliable point to reestablish the boundary if the original mark is disturbed. To achieve this, surveyors set the witness at a moderate distance from the true corner—far enough to deter tampering or accidental damage, but close enough that field crews can locate it and tie the survey lines back to the actual corner. In practice, this offset is a fixed, practical length described in the surveying units used for the project, allowing consistent reestablishment. That balance is why a moderate offset is the best choice, rather than something right at the corner or very far away.