Daily national Democrat., 1859-12-15
Mountain Correspondence.
TEMPERANCE HILL,
Nnhn Cnnnfr Dec Ia 1870

| 1uOa County, Dec ~. 1889. J
EDITOR DEMOCRAT The benefits of the
late rains are just being realized in this ycin-
ity. The bitches for conveying water for
the use the miners are in fine condition,
but furnishing only partial supply the de-
mand being very great. The capacity of the
various ditches with their reservoirs. being
equal to 6oOO inches daily, miners measure
ment The most important of the ditch en-
terprises is the Union Co., the length of
which, with its various branches, is fifty six
miles. The work was commenced in the
spring of 1851, and the main stem was COM
pleted to Sucker Flat early in 90. At that
tlme the diggings were worked only to the
depth Of from two to six feet, which with
the supply of water and the facilities of
working, required but a short time to work
out. The spring of 81 brought the Compa'
ny to a stand, and there being little or no
sale for water, the shares decreased in value.
During the summer of "a shafts were sunk
and tunnels were run into the hills which
tested the Importance of the country for
miles around, as mining district The Wa
ter Co., at all times, furnishing any quantity
of water, gratuitously, for prospecting pur-
poses
The water of this ditch is taken from Deer
Greek, commencing one mile above and north
from Rough and Ready A short distance
below the head dam the ditch passes through
tunnel 400 feet in length, which is cut
through solid blue flint rock, and at the time
was considered one of the most important
undertakings in the State. A few miles
brings us to Rich Flat, Nevada county, which
is supplied with water from the Union Co
From thence it is carried over divide and
dropped into Squirrel Creek, through which
it passes for short distance, when it is taken
up, carried around Bald Hill to Indian Spring
Ravine, through which il passes for half
mile. Here it is again taken up and carried
around the foot hills to Mooney Flat where
there are branches for the supply of that
place; from thence to the large reservoirs of
the Company near Empire Ranch. These
reservoirs are of sufficient capacity to retain
the water which runs during the night,
which gives the Company a double supply
from this point. One mile brings us to Suck
ct Flat, after supplying which the water is
carried across a sag in a flume 700 feet long
and 20 high, which brings ms to Temperance
Hill, from which Squaw Creek Diggings are
supplied; thence across another sag in a
fume $500 feet long and Al high. This
flume is one of the finest in the State, and is
capable of conveying 1000 inches of water.
One half mile more brings US to Timbuctoo.
At this place Geo. Mullen has paid the
company 100000 for water in a little over
three years. Last week Mr. Mulien's water
bill was over 5000. He cleaned up for the
six days run near SO, 900. From Timbuctoo
the water is carried across another sag in
fume l,2oO feet long 40 high, to Sand Hill
The Company have also branch ditch which
leads to the diggings on the plains, 10 miles
frcm Marysville. Thomas Simpson, Esq, is
the principal stockholder, and has the entire
management of its affairs His liberality in
furnishing water for the purpose Of prospect
ing, and pecuniary assistance to those en-
gagged in opening extensive and expensive
claims has aided materially in bringing about
the present prosperous condition of our 10
cality. JEFF.