The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1866-1887, 1867-03-02
The Survey of Feather River.

As if in very mockery of the elements during
one Of the severest of California winters, Pumas
county started ont surveying party to survey the
Feather river with a view TO ascertain its adapta-
bty for wagon road. from Oroville, through
Plumas county, to Beckwourth's Pass through the
eastern range Of the Nevada mountains The sur
vey is being made under the direction of the wagon
road company, organized under the act of the last
session the Leg islature, to aid in the construc
ton of this road. The present period of mid win
ter was chosen in which to make the survey, in or
der that the mooted question of a road along the
river and below the snow line, might be fully set
at rest, by an actual survey during the winter sea
son. Mr.. Keddie and his party (among whom we
recognized our "Auld Lang syne' friend Ferguson),
were on the North Fork of Feather river route for
over two weeks, and arrived in Oroville on Satur-
day last. They were midway on the river, between
Indian Valley and 0royille, during the heavy storm
of last week when the snow fell low down on the
foothills, and on the mountains surrounding them,
but snow reached the line OF their survey along
the river. The rain however, fell in torrents, and
on the mountains above them, snow fell to the
depth of FIVE feet. Dnriag the storm they were
encamped short distance above Big Bar thirty
five miles below Indian Valley, and thirty miles
above Oroville. The first snow they encountered
was at Yankee Hill after they had lett the river TO
avoid an extensive bend TO the eastward. ankee
Hill can however, be approached every day in the
year, the falls there to greater
depth than or 10 inches, and disappears immedi-
ately. II is point so well known TO every resi-
dent of Butte county, and so easily accessible at
all of the year, that it it is unnecessary to
say a word concerning the obstruction of snow in
terposed by Yankee Hill, and the route from thence
10 the North Fork. At Rich Bar, snow falls some
times to the depth of eight ten inches, but
mains only for day or two. OF course, the sur
veying party were unable to state whether any
snow fell during the late storm, on the upper hall
of the line of their route; but they know that
there was none the whole line of their route
when they passed over it, unit il they left the
river for Yankee Hill They report the route easy
aud practicable for wagon road, with light work
OF construction. Mr.. Ketdie pronounces it entirely
practicable for railroad.
The North Fork route for the 0roville and Beck
wourth Pass wagon read will be through Quincy.
From that point, down Spanish creek to the East
Branch of the North Fork. survey had previously
heen made for road to Taylorville, in Indian Val
ley. The starting point Of the present survey was
at the point where this road crosses the East
Branch, at Soda Bar, five miles from Indian Val
ley. The points and distances this route, as de-
termined by the application of the links and the
chain, are as follows:
From Quincy to Soda Bar, Cast Branch) -. IL
From Indian Valley to Soda Bar. ....-.....-..
hlcii bar----- -------
Junction Bar Cast Branch and North Fork) -.
Long Bar Bridge. ge................ 49,. 45
Rock Creek NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. p
Shores Bar .........-....---.-... .---...-ls
aukcc iilu .
West Branch Bridge Observation-Disclosures. 4
Oroville Observation-Disclosures. ........-..........l2
Total distance from Indian Valley to Orovie, 6l