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IFMP Authorized Surveying Officers Certification study materials
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IFMP Authorized Surveying Officers Certification practice questions

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Question 1Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

In surveying practice, a bearing is best described as which of the following?

  1. The horizontal angle turned between two successive stations
  2. The vertical distance between two points on the ground
  3. The slope distance measured along the surface of a line
  4. The direction of a line expressed as an angle from a fixed reference meridian Correct answer.

Explanation

A bearing gives the orientation of a line relative to a reference meridian (typically north or south) and includes a quadrant designation. It describes direction, not length or elevation change. Distance and vertical difference are separate quantities.

Question 2Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A closed traverse begins and ends at the same point. Which statement about its angular and linear closure is correct?

  1. The linear misclosure must always be exactly zero regardless of measurement quality
  2. The sum of the interior angles must equal (n-2) times 180 degrees for an n-sided closed polygon Correct answer.
  3. The total deflection angle around a closed loop is always 90 degrees
  4. Angular closure can only be checked on an open traverse

Explanation

For any closed polygon with n sides, the theoretical sum of interior angles is (n-2) x 180 degrees, so measured angles can be compared to this value to find angular misclosure. Linear misclosure is normally small but nonzero due to measurement error and is checked against a tolerance.

Question 3Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

On a survey plat, a scale of 1:2400 means which of the following?

  1. The contour interval is 2400 of the map units
  2. The map covers exactly 2400 square units of area
  3. One unit on the map represents 2400 of the same units on the ground Correct answer.
  4. One unit on the ground represents 2400 units on the map

Explanation

A representative fraction of 1:2400 states that one unit measured on the drawing equals 2400 identical units in the field. It is a ratio of map distance to ground distance, independent of the measurement unit chosen.

Question 4Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A benchmark in a survey network is established primarily to provide which of the following?

  1. A point of known elevation to which other elevations are referenced Correct answer.
  2. A temporary turning point used only during one instrument setup
  3. A reference line marking a property boundary
  4. A horizontal control point of known coordinates only

Explanation

A benchmark is a stable, monumented point whose elevation has been determined to a known accuracy, serving as the datum reference for vertical work. Other points are then tied to it by leveling.

Question 5Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which term refers to the angular distance north or south of the celestial equator?

  1. Declination Correct answer.
  2. Altitude
  3. Hour angle
  4. Azimuth

Explanation

Declination is the angular position of a celestial body measured north or south of the celestial equator, analogous to latitude on Earth. Azimuth and altitude are horizon-based coordinates, while hour angle measures time-related rotation.

Question 6Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

In leveling, the height of instrument (HI) is computed as which of the following?

  1. Foresight reading minus backsight reading
  2. Elevation of the point minus the backsight reading
  3. Elevation of the point plus the backsight reading Correct answer.
  4. Elevation of the point plus the foresight reading

Explanation

The height of instrument equals the known elevation of the backsight point plus the backsight rod reading. This establishes the elevation of the line of sight for subsequent foresight reductions.

Question 7Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A contour line on a topographic map connects points of which characteristic?

  1. Equal slope gradient
  2. Equal horizontal distance from a control point
  3. Equal elevation Correct answer.
  4. Equal magnetic declination

Explanation

A contour line is the locus of points at the same elevation. The spacing between contours indicates steepness, but each individual line represents a single elevation value.

Question 8Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which of the following best defines the term station in route surveying?

  1. A point on a reference line identified by its distance from a starting point Correct answer.
  2. A celestial body observed for azimuth
  3. A tripod setup position for a total station
  4. A permanent monument marking a property corner

Explanation

Stations in route surveying are points along a baseline referenced by cumulative distance, typically expressed in stations of 100 units. They allow locations along a linear project to be described consistently.

Question 9Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A distance measured along a slope of 100.00 m has a vertical difference of 6.00 m between its ends. What is the horizontal distance, to the nearest 0.01 m?

  1. 106.00 m
  2. 100.18 m
  3. 99.82 m Correct answer.
  4. 94.00 m

Explanation

Horizontal distance equals the square root of (slope distance squared minus vertical difference squared). Here it is the square root of (10000 - 36), which is about 99.82 m. Slope distance is always the longest of the three.

Question 10Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A line has an azimuth of 315 degrees. What is its equivalent bearing in quadrant notation?

  1. N 45 degrees W Correct answer.
  2. S 45 degrees E
  3. S 45 degrees W
  4. N 45 degrees E

Explanation

An azimuth of 315 degrees lies in the northwest quadrant, between 270 and 360 degrees. The bearing angle is 360 minus 315, which is 45 degrees, giving N 45 degrees W.

Question 11Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

What is the interior angle sum of a closed six-sided traverse?

  1. 360 degrees
  2. 540 degrees
  3. 900 degrees
  4. 720 degrees Correct answer.

Explanation

The interior angle sum of a closed polygon is (n-2) x 180 degrees. For six sides this is 4 x 180, which equals 720 degrees.

Question 12Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

The magnetic declination at a site is 8 degrees east. A line has a magnetic bearing of N 30 degrees E. What is its true bearing?

  1. N 30 degrees E
  2. N 38 degrees E Correct answer.
  3. N 22 degrees E
  4. S 38 degrees W

Explanation

When declination is east, magnetic north lies east of true north, so the true bearing equals the magnetic bearing plus the declination. Adding 8 degrees to N 30 E gives N 38 E.

Question 13Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

In a differential leveling run, the backsight is 1.245 m on a point of elevation 100.000 m, and the foresight is 0.980 m. What is the elevation of the foresight point?

  1. 100.000 m
  2. 100.265 m Correct answer.
  3. 101.225 m
  4. 99.735 m

Explanation

The height of instrument is 100.000 plus 1.245, equal to 101.245 m. Subtracting the foresight of 0.980 m gives 100.265 m for the new point.

Question 14Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which statement correctly distinguishes a closed traverse from an open traverse?

  1. An open traverse can always be checked for closure without returning to a known point
  2. A closed traverse requires no angular measurements
  3. A closed traverse returns to a known point, allowing misclosure to be computed Correct answer.
  4. An open traverse is used only for property boundary surveys

Explanation

A closed traverse either returns to its starting point or ties to another known point, which creates a geometric condition that reveals misclosure. An open traverse lacks this closure check, so errors cannot be detected directly.

Question 15Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A total station measures a slope distance of 250.000 m to a target, and the zenith angle is 85 degrees. What is the horizontal distance, to the nearest 0.01 m?

  1. 249.05 m Correct answer.
  2. 249.99 m
  3. 21.79 m
  4. 87.16 m

Explanation

Horizontal distance equals the slope distance multiplied by the sine of the zenith angle. The sine of 85 degrees is about 0.99619, and 250 times that value is about 249.05 m.

Question 16Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which of the following is the primary purpose of a baseline in a construction or route survey?

  1. To establish the magnetic meridian for the project
  2. To provide a temporary sight for a single instrument setup
  3. To record the elevation of the highest point on the site
  4. To serve as a fixed reference from which offsets and stations are measured Correct answer.

Explanation

A baseline is a fixed reference line, often monumented, from which offsets, stations, and structures are located. It provides consistent geometry for the whole project.

Question 17Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A parcel is described as a rectangle 150.00 m by 200.00 m. What is its area in hectares?

  1. 3.00 ha Correct answer.
  2. 0.30 ha
  3. 300.00 ha
  4. 30.00 ha

Explanation

The area is 150 times 200, which equals 30,000 square meters. Since one hectare is 10,000 square meters, the area is 3.00 ha.

Question 18Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which of the following correctly describes the difference between geodetic and plane surveying?

  1. Plane surveying is used only for areas larger than a continent
  2. Plane surveying always uses satellite positioning, while geodetic surveying does not
  3. Geodetic surveying accounts for the curvature of the Earth, while plane surveying treats the surface as flat Correct answer.
  4. Geodetic surveying ignores elevation entirely

Explanation

Geodetic surveying models the Earth's curvature and uses an ellipsoid or geoid reference, which is necessary over large extents. Plane surveying assumes a flat surface, an acceptable approximation for limited areas.

Question 19Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A level is set up midway between two points to reduce which specific error?

  1. Errors from incorrectly reading the rod graduations
  2. Errors due to the line of sight not being exactly parallel to the bubble tube axis Correct answer.
  3. Errors caused by the rod not being held plumb
  4. Errors from thermal expansion of the leveling rod

Explanation

Setting up midway equalizes the backsight and foresight distances, so residual collimation error, where the line of sight is not parallel to the bubble axis, cancels out. It does not cancel rod reading, plumbing, or rod scale errors.

Question 20Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A closed traverse of four sides has measured interior angles summing to 360 degrees 01 minute 20 seconds. What is the angular misclosure per angle if distributed equally?

  1. 20 seconds Correct answer.
  2. 1 minute 20 seconds
  3. 40 seconds
  4. 5 seconds

Explanation

The theoretical sum for a four-sided polygon is 360 degrees, so the total misclosure is 1 minute 20 seconds, or 80 seconds. Dividing 80 seconds equally among four angles gives 20 seconds per angle.

Question 21Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A horizontal angle is turned from a backsight azimuth of 120 degrees to a foresight azimuth of 40 degrees. What is the angle turned to the right?

  1. 160 degrees
  2. 280 degrees Correct answer.
  3. 80 degrees
  4. 40 degrees

Explanation

The angle to the right is the foresight azimuth minus the backsight azimuth, adding 360 degrees if the result is negative. Here 40 minus 120 is negative 80, and adding 360 gives 280 degrees.

Question 22Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A leveling loop of five setups returns to its starting benchmark. The sum of backsights is 7.315 m and the sum of foresights is 7.330 m. What is the misclosure, and what does the sign indicate?

  1. 0.015 m, meaning the closing elevation is lower than the starting elevation Correct answer.
  2. 0.015 m, meaning the closing elevation is higher than the starting elevation
  3. 0.045 m, meaning the rod was misread
  4. 0.015 m, meaning the loop is perfectly closed

Explanation

Misclosure equals the sum of backsights minus the sum of foresights, which is negative 0.015 m, indicating the computed closing elevation falls 0.015 m below the known starting value. The magnitude is 0.015 m.

Question 23Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Two points have coordinates A(1000.000, 2000.000) and B(1300.000, 2400.000). What is the bearing of line AB?

  1. N 36 degrees 52 minutes 12 seconds E
  2. S 53 degrees 07 minutes 48 seconds W
  3. N 53 degrees 07 minutes 48 seconds E Correct answer.
  4. N 53 degrees 07 minutes 48 seconds W

Explanation

The change in northing is 400.000 and the change in easting is 300.000, so the bearing angle is the arctangent of 300/400, which is about 36.87 degrees from north. Wait, correcting: the tangent of the bearing from north is easting over northing, giving 36.87 degrees, but the quadrant is northeast and the standard result expressed from the northing axis is N 36 degrees 52 minutes 12 seconds E.

Question 24Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A contour map shows contour lines spaced far apart on one hillside and closely packed on another. What does this indicate?

  1. Contour spacing indicates elevation, not slope
  2. Both sides have identical slope gradients
  3. The far-spaced side is gentle and the closely packed side is steep Correct answer.
  4. The far-spaced side is steep and the closely packed side is gentle

Explanation

Contour spacing is inversely related to slope steepness: widely spaced contours indicate a gentle gradient, and closely spaced contours indicate a steep gradient. The elevation change between adjacent contours is constant.

Question 25Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

In a closed traverse, the linear misclosure is 0.050 m over a total traverse length of 500.000 m. What is the relative precision, expressed as a ratio?

  1. 1:1000
  2. 1:10000 Correct answer.
  3. 1:5000
  4. 1:25000

Explanation

Relative precision is the total length divided by the misclosure, giving 500.000 divided by 0.050, which equals 10,000, expressed as 1:10000. A smaller ratio number would indicate poorer precision.

Question 26Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which of the following best describes the role of a benchmark in a leveling survey?

  1. A sight taken on a rod to determine the instrument height at each setup
  2. A physical marker that records only the horizontal position of a line
  3. A temporary turning point established between two instrument setups
  4. A point of known or assumed elevation used as a reference for leveling Correct answer.

Explanation

A benchmark is a stable, referenced point whose elevation is known or assumed and from which other elevations are derived. Turning points and backsights are temporary operations in the leveling process, not reference elevations.

Question 27Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

Which of the following best defines a traverse leg?

  1. The total perimeter length of a closed traverse loop
  2. The straight line between two consecutive traverse stations Correct answer.
  3. The angular misclosure remaining after balancing a closed traverse
  4. The perpendicular offset from a baseline to a detail point

Explanation

A traverse is composed of successive straight lines joining consecutive stations, and each such line is a leg (or course). Its length and direction are the measured or computed quantities carried station to station.

Question 28Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A surveyor measures a horizontal distance of 84.00 m between two points and then expresses the same distance in feet. Using 1 m = 3.28084 ft, which value is closest to the measured distance?

  1. 256.03 ft
  2. 25.60 ft
  3. 305.00 ft
  4. 275.59 ft Correct answer.

Explanation

Converting meters to feet multiplies the metric value by the conversion factor: 84.00 x 3.28084 = 275.59 ft. Keeping the factor direction correct is essential, since dividing instead of multiplying produces a very different result.

Question 29Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A plan is drawn at a scale of 1:500. A line on the plan measures 46 mm. What is the corresponding ground distance?

  1. 2.30 m
  2. 230 m
  3. 0.092 m
  4. 23.0 m Correct answer.

Explanation

A scale of 1:500 means one unit on the plan represents 500 of the same units on the ground. Thus 46 mm x 500 = 23 000 mm, which equals 23.0 m.

Question 30Survey Fundamentals and Terminology

A survey team is preparing a topographic map of a large area and must decide how to represent the terrain. They want lines that join points of equal elevation, with the interval between successive lines held constant. Which statement about this representation is correct?

  1. The constant vertical interval between successive lines is the contour interval Correct answer.
  2. Lines that touch or cross each other indicate a vertical cliff only when the interval is halved
  3. The spacing between lines is independent of ground slope
  4. Lines of equal elevation can never form closed loops on a map

Explanation

The contour interval is the fixed vertical distance between adjacent contour lines, chosen to suit the terrain and map purpose. Horizontal spacing between lines varies with slope, and closed loops legitimately represent hills or depressions.

Question 31Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the maximum breadth of the territorial sea measured from the baselines is:

  1. 6 nautical miles
  2. 24 nautical miles
  3. 200 nautical miles
  4. 12 nautical miles Correct answer.

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 3 fixes the territorial sea at a breadth not exceeding 12 nautical miles measured from the baselines. The 24-mile figure applies to the contiguous zone and 200 miles to the exclusive economic zone.

Question 32Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

The outer limit of the contiguous zone may not extend beyond how many nautical miles from the baselines?

  1. 12
  2. 36
  3. 24 Correct answer.
  4. 48

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 33 permits a contiguous zone extending up to 24 nautical miles from the baselines, within which the coastal State may exercise control over customs, fiscal, immigration and sanitary matters.

Question 33Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

The normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is:

  1. The low-water line along the coast Correct answer.
  2. The outer edge of the continental shelf
  3. The high-water line along the coast
  4. The line of deepest soundings

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 5 identifies the normal baseline as the low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal State.

Question 34Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

In a bay whose coasts belong to a single State, the waters are treated as internal waters where the area of the bay is at least as large as that of a semicircle whose diameter equals the width of the mouth, provided the mouth does not exceed:

  1. 12 nautical miles
  2. 24 nautical miles Correct answer.
  3. 10 nautical miles
  4. 48 nautical miles

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 10 uses a 24-nautical-mile closing line rule for bays, together with the semicircle test, to determine whether a bay is juridical and its waters internal.

Question 35Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Archipelagic baselines may be drawn joining the outermost points of the outermost islands and drying reefs of an archipelago, provided the main islands are included and the ratio of water to land area within the baselines is between:

  1. 1:1 and 1:9
  2. 1:9 and 1:1
  3. 1:1 and 9:1 Correct answer.
  4. 9:1 and 1:1

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 47 sets an area ratio of water to land between 1:1 and 9:1 for archipelagic baselines, meaning water must be at least as extensive as land but not more than nine times it.

Question 36Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

The exclusive economic zone may extend up to how many nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured?

  1. 200 Correct answer.
  2. 350
  3. 100
  4. 150

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 57 sets the maximum breadth of the exclusive economic zone at 200 nautical miles from the baselines, within which the coastal State has sovereign rights over natural resources.

Question 37Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Which principle holds that a State may not extend its territorial sea so as to cut off another State's access to the sea?

  1. The uti possidetis doctrine
  2. The sector principle
  3. The doctrine of non-encroachment Correct answer.
  4. The equidistance principle

Explanation

The doctrine of non-encroachment, reflected in UNCLOS Article 7(6), prohibits using straight baselines to cut off the territorial sea of another State from the high seas or an exclusive economic zone.

Question 38Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea are classified as:

  1. High seas
  2. Contiguous zone waters
  3. Internal waters Correct answer.
  4. Exclusive economic zone waters

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 8 provides that waters on the landward side of the baseline form part of the internal waters of the State, where the coastal State exercises full sovereignty.

Question 39Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

The equidistance method of delimitation draws a line every point of which is:

  1. Parallel to the dominant coastal trend
  2. Equidistant from the nearest points of the relevant coasts of the two States Correct answer.
  3. Drawn along the deepest navigable channel
  4. Perpendicular to the general direction of the coast

Explanation

Equidistance constructs a line each point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines of the two States, producing a median or lateral line depending on the geographic relationship.

Question 40Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

In a delimitation between States with opposite coasts, the line produced by equidistance is generally termed a:

  1. Lateral line
  2. Thalweg line
  3. Median line Correct answer.
  4. Closing line

Explanation

When coasts face one another, the equidistant line is called a median line; when coasts are adjacent, the resulting line is termed a lateral line.

Question 41Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Which feature is defined under UNCLOS as a naturally formed area of land surrounded by water that is above water at high tide?

  1. Submerged bank
  2. Low-tide elevation
  3. Island Correct answer.
  4. Drying reef

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 121 defines an island as a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide, and islands generate their own territorial sea and other maritime zones.

Question 42Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

According to UNCLOS Article 121(3), rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall:

  1. Be treated as low-tide elevations
  2. Generate a territorial sea but no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf Correct answer.
  3. Generate only internal waters
  4. Generate all maritime zones on the same basis as islands

Explanation

Article 121(3) provides that rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, though they may still generate a territorial sea.

Question 43Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

A low-tide elevation is a naturally formed area of land that is above water at low tide but submerged at high tide. Such a feature:

  1. Always generates a full exclusive economic zone
  2. Is treated identically to an island
  3. Generates no territorial sea of its own but may be used as a baseline point where situated wholly or partly within the territorial sea Correct answer.
  4. Generates a territorial sea of three nautical miles

Explanation

Under UNCLOS Article 13, a low-tide elevation generates no territorial sea of its own, but where it lies wholly or partly within the territorial sea of a mainland or island, its low-water line may be used as a baseline.

Question 44Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

The continental shelf of a coastal State comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, but in any event not less than:

  1. 350 nautical miles from the baselines
  2. 200 nautical miles from the baselines Correct answer.
  3. 150 nautical miles from the baselines
  4. 100 nautical miles from the baselines

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 76 guarantees a continental shelf of at least 200 nautical miles from the baselines where the natural prolongation does not reach that distance.

Question 45Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Where the physical continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles, the outer limit of the continental shelf may not exceed how many nautical miles from the baselines under the general constraint of UNCLOS Article 76?

  1. 400
  2. 300
  3. 250
  4. 350 Correct answer.

Explanation

Article 76(5) provides that the outer limit of the continental shelf shall not exceed 350 nautical miles from the baselines, or 100 nautical miles from the 2,500-metre isobath, whichever applies.

Question 46Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Which body receives submissions from coastal States concerning the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles?

  1. The International Seabed Authority
  2. The International Court of Justice
  3. The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf Correct answer.
  4. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Explanation

Under UNCLOS Article 76(8) and Annex II, coastal States submit particulars of proposed outer limits to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which makes recommendations.

Question 47Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

In the North Sea Continental Shelf cases (1969), the International Court of Justice held that delimitation of the continental shelf between States with adjacent coasts is to be effected:

  1. Strictly by equidistance in all cases
  2. By drawing lines of latitude and longitude
  3. By agreement in accordance with equitable principles Correct answer.
  4. By reference to the deepest soundings

Explanation

The Court held that delimitation must be effected by agreement in accordance with equitable principles, taking account of all relevant circumstances, and that equidistance is not mandatory under customary law.

Question 48Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

Delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf between States with opposite or adjacent coasts shall be effected by agreement on the basis of international law, as referred to in Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, in order to achieve:

  1. A proportionate division of fish stocks
  2. An equitable solution Correct answer.
  3. A strict median line
  4. A historic title allocation

Explanation

UNCLOS Articles 74 and 83 require delimitation by agreement to achieve an equitable solution, without prescribing a single method such as equidistance.

Question 49Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

In the Anglo-Norwegian Fisheries case (1951), the International Court of Justice upheld the legality of straight baselines along a coast that is:

  1. Deeply indented and fringed by islands and skerries Correct answer.
  2. Perfectly straight and smooth
  3. Bordered by a single large bay
  4. Fronted by a broad continental shelf

Explanation

The Court recognized that straight baselines may be employed where the coast is deeply indented and cut into, or where there is a fringe of islands along the coast in its immediate vicinity, a rule later codified in UNCLOS Article 7.

Question 50Maritime Boundaries and Delimitation Principles

A river that flows directly into the sea has a baseline drawn:

  1. Along the median line of the river to its source
  2. Along the deepest channel upstream for ten miles
  3. Across the mouth of the river between points on its low-water line Correct answer.
  4. At the point where tidal influence ceases

Explanation

UNCLOS Article 9 provides that where a river flows directly into the sea, the baseline is a straight line across the mouth of the river between points on the low-water line of its banks.