The Placer herald., 1861-09-21
County Surveyors Annual Report.
COUNTY SURVEYORS OFFICl

AUBURN, SEPT. 10. 1861.
To Hon. H. Il. Hgiey, Surveyor General of
| California;
SIR:-ln accordance
with an Act Of the Legislature of this State,
approved April 18th, 1850, defining the du.
ties of County Surveyors: and also, an Act,
approved May 18Th, 1861, in regard to the
survey and reclamation of swamp and over,
flowed lands, | respectfully submit the fol,
lowing report. which, with the accompany.
inc map, affidaviis, and field notes, will give
give you a correct idea of the situation and
number Of acres of the swamp and over
flowed lands within the boundaries of this
county:
The lands described in the accompanying
map, and described as swamp and overlooked
lands, are located in basin which Ii be.
tween Bear River on the North, Feather and
Sacramento rivers on the West, the Ameri-
can river on the South. and extending to the
high lands. known AS the foot hills, on the
East. This basin receives the waters of
Coon Creek, Markham Slough, Auburn RAJ
vine, Pleasant Grove Ravine, and Dry Creek,
all of which streams head high up in the
foot hills and drain the country from forty to
sixty miles East. In addition to the waters
Of the above streams, the lands lying within
this basin are subject to overflow during high
stages of water from Bear, Feather and Sac
ramento rivers.
For further testimony in regard 20 the
character of the lands described AS above
and III accompanying map refer you to the
accompanying atfidavits, marked A. BIC, d,
E, F, G, and II. The area Of lands thus de-
scribed, and surveyed by me, as will be seen
by reference to map and field notes, amounts
in the aggregate to nine thousand two hun
drea ana eighty acres.
The dispositions accompanying this report
marked as above, prove that during The great
freshess of 1850 u, 2, and 3, much more
land was overlooked than at any period since
owing the following reasons:--
LIST. A large number Of sloughs have been
damned or leyeed by building tight FENCES of
wood and earth on the banks which has serv'
ed to confine the water within the hanks and
prevent their overflow, and facilitated the
passing eff of the water
2nd. From near the head waters e Bear,
Yuba and Feather rivers, large bitches or
canals have been cut which conduct their
waters from these streams to the neig hbor
boring bills for mining purposes, which
serve to draw off large amount Of the SUR
plus water; and also, at or near the heals Of
these streams high dams have been construc.
ted which catch the water during the wet
season, forming large lakes sufficient to sup.
ply the bitches for several months during the
dry season, which, together with the water
being constantly diverted from the natural
channels by the bitches for mining purposes,
has served to considerable extent TO pre-
vent overflow and render portion of the
lands partially dry.
l have had many difficulties to encounter
and overcome in order to obtain the accom-.
panying affidavits, and make the surveys of
these lands, which will readily suggest them
selves to you when inform you that por.
ton of the Opponents reside some forty
miles from the county seat, and that to or
tain them had to visit them at their homes,
taking with me Notary Public, and that
sometimes upon going to their residences,
for the purpose of taking their dispositions,
| failed to find them at home, thus being
compelled to make two trips And also, the
lands are situated from twenty to forty miles
from the county seat, and extend along the
line Of Bear and Sacramento rivers, invovl
large amount of trave! and labor in making
the surveys and designating the boundaries.
The law seems to be defective inasmuch as
the Surveyor is not empowered to send for
and enforce the attendance of persons with
papers, that dispositions and other proofs
may be taken without the double expense
necessarily incurred as at present by employ.
ing q Notary.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
S G. ELLIOTT,