How to Read Slope Stakes

Read the slope stake from the top down. The top numbers provide the offset distance -- the the horizontal measurement from the slope stake to the catch point. The catch point, or intercept poin, is the location from which the operator begins filling or cutting. For example, a "10" directs the operator to begin excavation 10 feet from the bottom of the slope stake. The measurement is always from the marked face of the lathe, never the side or the back.

Read the series of letters and digits under the first horizontal line. This series indicates total excavation. "C" indicates a cut and "F" a fill. The numbers indicate the vertical length of the cut or fill from the intercept point to natural ground. A lathe marked "NG" indicates natural ground. For example, if the series is marked "F-9.5." the vertical fill required is 9 feet, 6 inches.

Acquire the horizontal distance of the slope from the third series of numbers on the lathe. This number determines the distance from the intercept point to the natural ground point on a horizontal line.

Acquire the rate of slope. The fourth set of numbers is a ratio; 2:1, for example, means 2 feet of run per foot of rise or fall. For every foot of horizontal run, the slope requires 1/2-foot of cut or fill.

Determine offset difference from the fifth series of numbers. The offset difference is the position of the bottom of the stake in relation to the intercept point. If the number is negative, the intercept point is above the slope stake; if it is positive, the slope stake is above the intercept point.