The weekly Placer herald., 1852-09-25
Qbt aaDfthlp plafer 9fralo.
The lBear River Water and
Mining Company Canal.

commenced in May, 1851. The object of
this association was for conveying the
waters of Bear river into the rich and ex-
tensive placer mines of Auburn, Ophir,
Secret Diggings and Gold Hill. Of the
extent of these mines we need not attempt
an estimate without detracting from other
points. We doubt whcthera point can
be found in California that will exceed in
richness and extent the mines here; COW
sring an area Of some eight or ten miles
in width, and from twenty to twenty-five
in length, which must give Importance
and permanance to the towns in their
midst. The water of Bear River is in
troduced into fume six feet by three and
half, at point some three miles above
Illinoistown, thence conveyed by canal,
fumes and aqueducts on the slopes of the
mountains some 1S miles, parallel with
the river; thence leaving the river by
circuitous route about 10 miles to point
near the Bear river House, where it
crosses the Auburn and lllinistown road
by an aqueduct; thence about miles to
the dividing ridge between the waters of
Bear river and the North Fork of the
American river. Through this ridge a
tunnel has been constructed, 1000 feet in
length, at an expense of some 60,O0O.-
The water discharged by the tunnel
info 0ry
creek at the Mammoth Saw-mill, where
It is taken up by reservoir; thence about
three miles by fumes and canal, where,
owing to depression, and to maintain
she elevation, requires an aqueduct of
about half mile in length, which has
been constructed, reaching point COM
nsanding the entire mining region. The
main canal, with it's laterals, is not less
than 10 miles in length.
fthe superstructures on the line, they
are permanent and substantial. Of the
Mammoth Aqueduct, some $50 feet in
length, 147 feet high, containing some
$4,000 feet of cubic feet of hewn and
sawed timber, is worthy the attention of
artists, and will command the admiration
of all who can appreciate works of art
There are eight aqueducts on the line
complete and being completed. The
water has been introduced, and reached
aoou, 20 miles. but owing to the present
stage Of water in Bear river, and the
great amount of absorption consequent
upon the character of the soil over which
it passes, its progress is tardy. The abb
sorption is being diminished, and the ca
nal rendered impervious to water as it
becomes saturated, and when this is the
case, nothing forbids its immediate intro
duction into auburn and the mines GEN
orally.
The capital stock of this company is at
present $S5O,OOO, $500, 900 Of which has
already been disbursed. On the 18th
inst, $50, 900 was levied on stock, paya-
ble in two instalments, on the lst and 5th
Sn October, to meet present liabilities, and
those holding the paper of the company
may rest assured that nothing will be
wanting on the part of the stockholders to
make provision for the liquidation of
their paper at an early day. The stock
holders will be justified in the further
prosecution of this work, requiring
capital stock Of 100000, which will be
done as circumstances require.
Its present Board Of Directors consists
of S. w. Lowell, of Auburn, President
Robert Rodgers and Chas. H. Rockwell.
of San Francisco; Joel Ball, of Sacra-
mento, and E. S. Peck, of MarysviIle,
Directors; Jas. Edwards, of Auburn,
Treasurer, and j. r. Crandall, of Au-
burn, Secretary. The stock consists of
I 80 shares, par value $a,916 66 each.
Ofthese shares IS are owned in San Fran
cisco, Ia in Sacramento, 9 in Marysville,
and S4 by resident stockholders.
The great amount Of money that has
been expended by the company is at once
an insurance that the work win be prose-
cuted to completion. When once COM
pleted it will give life'and vigor to every