The record-union., 1891-02-22
HYDRAULIC MINING.
INVESTIGATION MADE BY THE
GOVERNMENT COMMISSION.
Recommendation Made for the Pre-
servatlon of Navigable
Channels.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.-The Secretary
of War to-day submitted to Congress re-
port of the commission appointed nearly
two years ago for the purpose of making
a thorough investigation into the
hydraulic mining along the streams
tributary to the Sacramento River.
The commission was composed of w.
III. M. Benyaurd, w. II. Heuer and
Thomas H. Handberry, United States
army officers, and for the purpose of de-
fraying all expenses connected with the
investigation thes.Secratary of War was
provided with an appropriation of SIC, 900.
The commission was instructed to as
certain if some plan could not be devised
whereby the present conflict between
the farming and mining sections might
be adjusted, and the mining industry re-
habilitated, and for complete examina-
ton of the injured navigable river chan
nels, their tributaries and the land ada
cent, with view to the improvement of
the rivers. The rivers assigned to the
commission for investigation were the
Feather, Yuba, Sacramento, American,
San Joaquin and their tributaries.
The report submitted consists mainly
of information concerning the mines and
the depreciation of certain farm lands,
which information was secured by the
State of California and furnished to the
commission. 1t gives the history of hy-
drulic mining, and the trouble arising
from it to certain agricultural sections,
resulting in Legislation and Federal Court
decisions, that put an end to hydraulic
mining in the sections of the country un-
der consideration.
The report says that should the decis-
nj ha 1,uJ IN
mining operations could be renewed by
building structures in canyons to protect
farm lands from the coarse material
Stone dams or barricades could be con-
structed at such hight as the local con-
ditions might suggest. The sluggish
water would allow the coarse material to
go to the bottom and carry along with it
much of the fine sand.
This is considered costly solution of
the trouble, and barriers, in the judgment
of the commission, should be constructed
at the expense of those interested in the
mines. 1t is deemed most expedient to
construct low dams at first, allowing the
pebbles and sand to fill in above. Then
add another section to the wall, slanting
1T up the stream, giving to it strength,
and by various steps break the fall of the
water.
To establish their position, the board
cites as authority Colonel Mendell's dams
III tu0 luDd anu III
the present dams in that river, recon-
mends that some be located on the south
Iuba at Jones Bar. On the lower and
middle Yuba dams should be erected at
Freeman's Bridge and Emery's Crossing;
also, on lower Deer Creek near the mouth
of the North Fork, and across Slate and
Cannon Creeks near the mouth.
The report recommends dam across
Bear River, at Van Geissin'S, 100 feet
high, a dam across the north and south
forks of the American River near the
mouth.
Where there is trouble from overflow
along the Sacramento River, it is OBJ
served that the plan would be to reduce
the width OF the channel, as this would in
crease the current and deepen the chan
neFoSuf1iciently to provide room for the
water at flood periods, without interfer-
ing with the farmers who are concerned
in their riparian rights.
In order to reduce the channel at the
points where the overflow difficulty is
experienced, the commission recon-
mends brush mattresses projecting from
the banks at a gentle angle, forcing the
river back to its old channel
The expense incurred in CARRYING out
these recommendations would be fully
warranted by the improvements in navi-
This expense should be borne by the
Government. To clear the channel of the
river it would cost about $500, 900.
The Yuba River should be supplied
with dam at Daguerre Point, costing
from 100000 to 5000. 900.
| The commission was unable to find any
necessity for a dam across the San Joa-
| quin or Feather rivers. As far up as it is
| inviting for navigation they should be
| provided with brush mattresses. which,
! in order to put it in good condition, suit
able for navigation, would cost about
S300000, and afterwards an additional
$4,000 would be required annually to
keep it in order until the dams on its
tributaries for arresting the mining debris
were constructed.
The Bear River should be supplied
with dam at Van Geissen's, estimated
at cost of $50, 900.
The commission insists that should the
improvements be made as suggested hy-
lldraulic mining could be resumed with no
Edanger of infringing on the rights of
Farmers.