Land Surveying
In-house survey staff providing reliable, accurate field information and topographic mapping.
Precision Surveying Services
Having an in-house survey team means seamless coordination between surveying and engineering. Our professional land surveyors work directly with our engineers, ensuring that field data is accurately captured, properly interpreted, and effectively integrated into design work.
This integrated approach eliminates communication gaps and ensures that every project benefits from precise, reliable survey data from the very beginning. Our surveyors understand the engineering requirements, and our engineers understand the survey process, creating a unified team that delivers superior results.
We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology, including GPS/GIS services, to provide accurate surveys for projects of all sizes. From simple boundary surveys to complex topographic mapping for large-scale developments, we have the expertise and equipment to meet your needs.
Our Services
Comprehensive land surveying services for all your project needs
Featured Projects
Explore projects where our surveying expertise made a difference
Fort Sheridan Ravine & Coastal Restoration
In 2015, John Keno & Company was awarded a 5-year construction contract for ravine and coastal restoration by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. John Keno in turn looked to Bleck to layout new ravine thread lines, stone step pools, rock riffles, earth retaining structures, and walkways. As part of their contract with the Army the contractor was required to submit shop drawings for riprap that were sized and signed by a professional engineer. Bleck was able to leverage their knowledge of the immediate watershed in order to get the proper sizing of the stone to keep the construction project on schedule. The Fort Sheridan Ravine and Coastal Section 506 Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Project spanned across four main ravines and 1.5 miles of coast line on Lake Michigan.
Forest Park Restoration
The City of Lake Forest approved a comprehensive Forest Park Master Plan prepared by Stephen Stimson Associates with the goal to restore, enhance and preserve the City's preeminent park. Founded in 1856 by the City's Original Planner Almerin Hotchkiss "as a natural resource for passive enjoyment", Forest Park was created as the City of Lake Forest's first conserved open space. In 1896 the City hired O.C. Simonds to develop a plan for the park. The Master Plan serves as a guide to future decisions about Forest Park, honoring the legacy of Hotchkiss and Simonds and their influence upon the park, while acknowledging a century of change and the need to rehabilitate the park to meet today's passive recreation needs. Bleck Engineering prepared construction documents for this 37 acre park to meet the Vision and Goals identified in the Master Plan. Construction commenced in 2013 and the park was reopened to the public in 2014. Environmental stewardship was at the center of the design as the area is directly tributary to our most valuable resource, Lake Michigan. The reduction of impervious area and the enhancement of the stormwater treatment train and the restoration of native areas. The realignment of walking paths and the roadway offers new vistas from the tableland out to Lake Michigan.
Ravinia Festival Food Service Building
Bleck Engineering was selected by Lohan Anderson LLC to provide civil engineering design services for a 43,200 square foot food service and dining facility at Ravinia Festival. Careful planning and coordination had to be taken in order to ensure that construction would have minimal impact on the visitor experience and be complete by the beginning of the upcoming season. Plans were prepared in a timely fashion to allow for the existing food pavilion to be demolished at the conclusion of the 2006 season. Construction ran through the winter and the new Food Service And Dining Pavilion was open for business at the start of the 2007 season. Bleck Engineering was responsible for surveying the Festival grounds, preparing all site civil related construction documents, assisting in the permitting and entitlement process, construction administration, and construction staking and layout. The new facility includes 6,000 square feet of outdoor dining patios that were thoughtfully arranged around several significant existing oak trees. Site paths were reconfigured to allow for the better movement of the visitors throughout the grounds and all utility services to the building were upgraded.
Lake Forest Academy – Athletic Field Improvements
In the fall of 2016, BLECK was approached by Lake Forest Academy to conduct a feasibility study for converting existing natural turf playing fields on campus to synthetic turf fields. The Academy had an issue where their existing turf fields frequently flooded and they would lose days of games and practice time due to poor field conditions. After the feasibility study was completed, construction documents were created for a 3.5 acre multipurpose athletic field. The design of the proposed field cross-section enabled the client to construct the new field while meeting all water quality and run-off reduction requirements by authorities having jurisdiction. The preparation of the construction documents allowed for the leadership to present a shovel ready project to the school board. After fundraising efforts were complete the field was constructed during the summer of 2018 and was ready for students and teams to use at the start of the school year. The new multi-purpose athletic field features 6 fields that meet NFHS standards including, 2 Field Hockey Fields, 1 Boy's Lacrosse Field, 1 Girls Lacrosse Field, 1 Softball Field, and 1 Soccer Field. The new field design allows teams to practice and play almost immediately after rain events compared to the multiple day wait the teams used to have when it was a natural turf field.
Walden Ravine Stabilization
The City of Lake Forest identified a critical infrastructure issue when a headwall at the upstream end of the culvert beneath the Ringwood Road land bridge collapsed, obstructing water flow through Walden Ravine. In response, Bleck Engineering was retained to evaluate the structural stability of the ravine and conduct a comprehensive survey of both its upstream and downstream segments. The culvert, a brick structure over a century old, was in need of substantial rehabilitation. The project was approached through a multi-phase design process focused on restoring aging infrastructure, improving water quality within the ravine, and enhancing roadway safety. On the upstream side of the ravine, the design included the construction of a new concrete headwall and the restoration of approximately 130 linear feet of stream channel. This restoration incorporated hydraulic features such as rock riffles and stone step pools to moderate water flow, along with channel armoring using glacial and fluvial stone to control erosion. Toe protection was also provided, incorporating crevices designed to support amphibian habitat. Additionally, the ravine bottom was stabilized and revitalized through the use of native plantings to support long-term ecological health. To preserve the existing culvert, a spray-in-place pipe lining method was used to reinforce its structural integrity while minimizing disturbance to the surrounding environment. On the downstream side, a new storm sewer system was installed to effectively manage roadway drainage. This system included three separate drainage structures, each protected with glacial and fluvial stone to dissipate energy and prevent scour along the ravine slopes. Toe protection was further reinforced with the installation of gabion baskets and additional stone armoring, ensuring long-term slope stability. As part of the roadway improvements, approximately 300 feet of Ringwood Road was milled and resurfaced. A B6.12 combination curb and gutter system was installed along the land bridge to control stormwater runoff and reduce erosion along the ravine slopes. To improve vehicular safety, timber guardrails were placed along both sides of the roadway, addressing the steep 35-foot drop from the bridge to the ravine bed below. Following completion of the design, Bleck Engineering provided permitting assistance to the City of Lake Forest, coordinating with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure all necessary regulatory approvals for the project.
Waukegan Municipal Beach
In the fall of 2017 the City of Waukegan Engineering Department reached out to Bleck to complete a plat of survey with topographic information of their municipal beach. The survey encompassed over 60 acres of land and was done on International Great Lakes Datum 1985 (IGLD85). Bleck Engineering also captured aerial imagery of the entire property to aid in future planning for the city.
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