Westmeath Township, now part of Whitewater Region, occupies a diverse landscape bordered by the Ottawa River to the east and rolling farmland and forests inland. It was surveyed in the early 1800s as part of the broader push to settle and develop the Ottawa Valley, with early settlers benefiting from proximity to both water transportation and fertile soils.

The township became known for its productive agriculture, especially dairy and mixed farming. Timber cutting remained important throughout the 19th century, and the Ottawa River provided a vital conduit for log drives. Notably, the Westmeath Dune Complex along the river is a rare geological feature that has influenced land use and conservation planning.

Surveyors in Westmeath Township navigate a largely intact Crown grid, though concessions near the Ottawa River often curve or shift due to terrain. Shoreline properties may involve submerged title issues, historic sand leases, and public right-of-way claims. Agricultural lot severances and municipal amalgamations have also altered parcel fabric.