The Placer herald., 1859-03-26
FLooD IN AUBURN RAvINE-GREAT DAM

FLooD IN AUBURN RAvINE-GREAT DAM
AGE.-Rain commenced falling in this sec
ton on Sunday evening last and continued
through the following day into late hour
of Monday night with but slight intermls-
sons, increasing all the rivu!ets of water,
running in the small ravnes, into foaming
torrents. The volume of water that accumu-
lated in the Auburn Ravne from this cause,
converted that usually unimportant water
course into raging stream, and resulted
in damaging property to considerable ex-
tent At the Touring mill of Wagner u Co.,
in this place, the water flooded the first floor,
upon which was piled a large number of
sacks of superine flour, completely running
eighty sacks, as we'll as large amount of
ground feed. At Banvard's Hotel, several
bridges over the ravine were carried away
and at Morrisons, little lower down, some
six hundred feet of stone wall was washed
down, and portion of the garden, with
fruit and ornamental trees taken off. Other
damage, between Ophr and Gold Hill was
done, but the most serious loss sustained
was at the deep flat claims at Orc City.
These claims, four or five in number, have
been opened at heavy cost of time and
money. They are situated near the ravine,
but are worked much lower than the ravine
bed and are drained by a deep and long
ditch. The water broke through the public
road between the ravine and one of the
claims filling them in succession, and also
depositing some eight or ten feet OF dirt,
for a considerable distance, in the drain
ditch. The damage done to these claims is
estimated to be from $4,000 to 100000.
Between Virginia and the Plains number
of other claims were filled up with water
and dirt, destroying the labor Of months,
and probably rendering it useless in some
instances for the miners to attempt to re-
open them. In addition to the above losses,
toms, siuices, lumber, and mining implements
were taken away, and strewed along the ra-
vine below the in utmost confusion.
The injury to the ranches below is not
reported as much-some panels of fence
being the extent.
Altogether this has been the most destruc.
tive flood we have ever known in the Au-
burn Ravine. The occurrence excited gene
raj surprise among the residents below-they
not deeming it possible so much water could
accumulate in so short season of rain
DUTCH FLAr-This is destined to be one
Of the largest mining towns in the State.
Heretofore its growth has been retarded for
want of the necessary amount Of water to
supply miners throughout the year, and in
such quantities as would admit Of the work
ing of a large number Of hydraulic claims
along the extensive gravel range, known as
paying ground, bordering upon Bear River.
This difficulty is shortly to be obva.ed by
the compl- -tion of the Placer County Canal,
ia work of large capacity by Messrs Brad
ley Trim & Co., proprietors Of the Dutch
Flat Ditch, and by the construction Of
canal by Pollard & Co., who intend bring
ing in water from the south Iuba Canal, in
Nevada county. When these works are
completed, the miners of Dutch Flat and Vi
cinity will be supplied by three large canals
giving constant work to miners and in
ducing the opening Of largo claims along
heavy deposit of gravel and cement dis
tance of ten or twelve miles. This range
has long attracted the attention Of practical
miners, bat has been but but partially
developed owing to the scarcity of water.
This disability corrected, as it will be in the
coming summer, rush will be made to the
Dutch Flat mines, similar to repeated de-
monstrations that have been made toward
new diggings in California. Dutch Flat
continues to improve rapidly in view of the
good time coming
Election of School Trustees.
The following subioned letter from Mr..