The Placer herald., 1859-11-05
Gold Hill and Bear River Canal.

In company WIN LIT. Hi Ireslueht Vi
the Gold Hill and Bear River Canal, few
days since, we visited considerable portion
of the mining territory supplied with water
by this work, and acquired more intimate
knowledge Of the extensive surface mines
along the foothills than we before possessed
4his canal was one Of the pioneer works OF
the county; was finished in 1852, and was
originally intended, we believe, to furnish
water to the diggings at Doty's Flat and
Gold Hill but like all canals to surface
mines, it has been extended mile after mile
as discoveries have been made, until now be-
side the former places, it supplies, Orc City,
Virginia, Fox's Flat, Dead Mans Ravine
Doty's Ravine, Sailors Ravine, Newtown,
Danish Diggings, Whiskey Diggings, dig
gngs near Camp Far West, south Of Bear
river, and number of other ravines and
fats, the names of which have escaped US.
The main line of the canal is thirty two
miles in length, and the lateral branches on
hundred and twenty-five miles. 1t takes
water from Bear River at point below the
| Bear River and AUBURN Canal. Owing to
the oldest right of the latter company, for
a portion Of the dry season it has no water
for sale, deficiency that will probably be
supplied in future seasons by the construc-
ton of canals higher in the mountains that
take their water from other streams which
at length escapes into Bear River.
Last year branch fourteen miles in
length, was constructed from the main can
al, to an extensive range of surface diggings
and gravel hills south of Bear River, near
Camp Far West, and although the season
was we'll advanced before much mining was
done, the diggingss were were tested sufficiently
to ~ttssas certained as amply remunerative,
and now, as the time approaches for full
supply of water, miners are seeking the To-
caity and taking up claims to work. In
the same neighborhood the gravel deposits
upon the hills are deep, and give promise Of
being good hydraulic diggings, as fair pros
rects are obtained in the surface dirt upon
the highest part Of the hills. The branch
ditch is carried over the highest part of this
range, and can carry water to any hydraulic
clems that may be opened. The dig
gings are considered of so much impor-
lance by the company that they are having
the branch wdened and the fumes enlarged
to admit the carrying of greater volume
of water. We expect to hear Of large
number of miners congregating in that mi
ming district this winter.
Another range Of new diggngs supplied
by the Gold Hill Company, is south of Fox's
Flat on the Auburn Ravine, along the foot
hills. They were worked last season, and
paid we'll. The Company will extend branch
es farther south along the range this fall,
to supply ground that has been found to af-
ford good prospects. This will also be en-
other busy camp.
The company are now preparing the main
and lateral lines for the reception of water,
by repairing fumes, and clearing up gener
ally, for they are warned by lowering skies
that water is coming soon. The miners care
not how soon, for they long to set their
sluices, and start the music of sluice fork
and shovel. A winter of successful mining
is anticipated by all, which we hope all will
fully realize.
The field Of mining to be supplied by the
Gold Hill Company is large, the diggings
light, and such as are inviting to those who
are not willing to run the hazard of tunnel
mining. AS in all previous years, the dis
trict will again be teeming with miners as
soon as water comes.
EE The Placer Courier urges the citi