The use of stadia rods dates back to the 18th century, when surveyors began using them to measure distances in the field. The technique was originally developed by the French surveyor, Chevalier de Borda, who used a stadia rod to measure distances with a precision of about 1/100th of a meter. Over the years, the technique has evolved and become a standard method of measuring distances in surveying.
: A local team backed by national resources and technology. metro rod reading
The technician notes the depth and then uses the locator in horizontal sweep mode to trace the pipe’s path, marking the surface with paint or flags. The use of stadia rods dates back to
At its core, metro rod reading is the art of interpreting audible and visual signals from a magnetic locator while a non-conductive rod (often made of fiberglass) is lowered into a vertical access point, typically a cast-iron cleanout or a valve box. : A local team backed by national resources and technology
Providing both emergency and planned solutions, the team covers a wide range of needs:
Often referred to as "taping" or "dipping," the proper use of a metro rod (or water level meter) is the foundational skill for establishing the depth to water in monitoring wells, piezometers, and open boreholes. A sloppy reading can lead to miscalculated contamination plumes, flawed dewatering designs, and costly project delays.