What term is used for wooden stakes that mark where cut or fill side slopes intersect the original ground surface?

The term used for wooden stakes that indicate where cut or fill side slopes meet the original ground surface is slope stakes. These stakes are critical in construction and grading projects as they help define the boundaries of areas that will be altered by excavation or embankment. By visually marking these intersections, slope stakes ensure that the grading work is accurate and adheres to design plans, facilitating proper drainage and preventing erosion or instability in the landscape.

The significance of slope stakes lies in their role in conveying important information to surveyors and construction crews about the grade of the land and how it will be affected by the proposed work. They assist in maintaining the appropriate angles and transition areas for side slopes, ensuring that any changes to the terrain align effectively with engineering specifications.

The other terms, such as marker stakes, reference stakes, and survey stakes, serve different purposes in surveying and construction contexts. Marker stakes may indicate specific locations but are not limited to side slopes; reference stakes could serve to reference established points or benchmarks; and survey stakes generally mark property lines or specific survey points. Each of these plays a role in a broader surveying context but does not specifically define the function of indicating cut or fill slope intersections like slope stakes do.