The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-30
Aqueducts In California.

In several communications to the HERALD about
California, my home for almost three years, mention
has been made Of the canals, or bitches, recently
built to supply the lack Of water in the mines. A
letter, which appeared in your paper OF October
states what, in this respect enterprsing men in
Tuolumne county have DONE bitches of more or
less extent, built at than $500 000 and bring
ing something like $40 900 per week income, are in
operation or will be soon finished. This has been
done In this southern mining county which is not
considered 80 rich IS the northern counties OF Gala
velas, Ell Dorado, Placer &c. But the necessity of
supplying the placers or mines regularly all the year
with water, Is the more general and urgent In u
country where, for seven months, hardly drop Of
rain falls
progress of these most useful and highly interesting
works in Nevada and Ell Dorado counties; upon them
depends mainly the regular yield Of the pacers, and
the successful progress OF mining in general Ia Cali
f0rnia. am acquainted with the following canals,
the first three being in Nevada county, and the re-
majnder in FL Dorado county, viz =
l. The Rock Greek Canal, nine miles long, $40 900
costs; "a 600 moi thly dividend.
O. The Deer Creek Canal, eight miles long, $40 900
costs; 5,572 monthly dividend.
8. The Cayote Ditch, miles long, $40 900 costs;
5572 monthly dividend.
4. The Weber Creek and Coon Hollow Canal four
teen and a half miles long, $40 600 costs $1,000
monthly dividend.
s. The Gold Hill Canal, ten and half miles long,
1926 costs ; 81 400 monthly dividend.
g. The Bradley, Berdan q Co. Canal, ten and .
dend.
Z. The South Fork Canal. twenty-six and half
miles long, eighteen miles finished, about $500 900.
At present of eighteen miles in opera hon, SO 900
monthly income to be finished at the end Of the
year. This canal differs from all the rest, for being
not ditch, exposed to dissertation and evaporation
but solid rectangular plank fume throughout 1t
bring the water from the South Fork OF the Ameri.
can River down to Placerville-the seat Of the COM
pany-and vicinity almost to the Sacramento Valley.
The capacity Of the canal is fourteen feet 1t pro-
vded with large reservoirs for tue collect and dis
trbuton OF the water and traverses the most exten.
sve ar richest mining district in California both of
surface and cayOte or Tunnel mining, which is al.
most entirely devoid of water When entirely fuish-
cd, it will bring about $50 600 monthly revenue.
regular supply of water fer the miners pan, rocker
long tom, ripple box, sluce box complicated
machinery, is indispensable to save time and labor
An experienced miner and engineer told me, that
with the labor lost in California especially from lack
of water, ship canal from San Fran:i to Liver.
pool might be built.
Be that, without these works, which are calcu.
lated to bring the water to the tops OF the hills in
order to use it in the ravnes and on the hill sides,
OF course quite the reverse of the ship canals or
ditcies, which seek the level of the valleys, the
gold stream flowing from this land to the east would
soon dry np. Their importance is immense for Cali
fornia and our common country Asst MUD, genial,
uniform climate of California has nightly pro-
NOTED the rapid develOpement of this country, so
will these extensive aqueducts contribute mighty
share to make these evelooements perm auent and
more general There s not the least doubt that tnis
enterprise will stimulate another the perfection of
the quartz machinery, which, without regular
water supply, cannot prosper, and this together
will California make for centuries the Ell Dorado Of
America. As important the mining interest is,
we are perfectly satisfied that the agricultural re-
sources equally excellent, especially If there is
water at hard for irrigation; aud If once these aque-
Duets should cease to furnish the gold for the miners
there will be indeed gold for the farmers gardeners
and mechanics.
The companies which have executed these works
have raised the large means for their execution at
home. But some OF them have been obliged to Dor
row money on bonds. It may be that these bonds
will appear in the Eastern market side by side with
California State and City bonds, and be among the
best in the MARKET for these aqueducts are at pre-
sent the very nerve of the mineral wealth of Caliior
pia, and, Of course Of the commercial relations be.
tween the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. These works,
requiring much time and so large sums for their
completion, prove be tides, that society ia fast i'm
proving in its character. There must be confidence
in the administration of justice where men invest
more than $500, 900 in single work. There must
prevail sober spirit Of industry when men invest
their money in enterprise requiring years for ta
completion, where they have ready chances for in
vestments at three and more per cent per month
Indeed people in California to be well aware
as others that solid industry and honesty is good
policy. JUGE.