The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-17
Pipe Line to Be Built From
Owens Lake TO the New
Mining Camp.
San Francisco Capitalists Are
Interested in the New
Enterprise.
When 1t Is Completed the Rapid
Development of the Mines
Is Assured.

The Randsburg region has already given
abundant evidence of being one OF the
most promising mining districts known
in the world. Were it situated aDywh re
else than in a waterless desert the district
would have by this time population OF
from 80, 600 to so 600. pat as it is there are
not over 1900 people IN the town and i'm
mediate vicinity.
The great drawback to the DEVELOPMENT
of the mines and consequent growth of
the town is lack of water. Every effort
has been made to find a supply in the
neghborhood, but so far in vain; every
drop used has to be brought from the COW
wells at Gar.ock, near the base of Black
Mountain, some twelve miles to the west
on the road to Mojave, and as may be
readily imagined il is both poor and dear,
costing for drinking purposes some 81 so
per barrel and for other purposes from
81 so to 81 The wells at Garlock do not
have an over-a bundant supply, and any
unusual demand perceptibly diminishes'
it and up goes the price. The men en-
gagged in supplying the Randsburg camps
with water are making more money at the
business than those who are taking out
gold.
The permanent character of the mines
so far developed and the absolute need OF
a sufficient supply of water ana the certain
return on money invested in an enterprise
looking to filling this need, has attracted
the attention OF capitalists both in San
Francisco and Los Angeles, and there is
but little question that before many
months roll by Randsburg will have as
much water as it can consume with ten
times its present population and some to
spare for other places near by.
Two San Francisco men of abundant
means and large experience IN mining de-
velopment let the City on Saturday last
1or Randsburg, where they will meet
others from Los Angeles, and with expert
engineers the party will go over the
ground between that town and Owens
Lake, some sixty miles to the northwest
in lnyo County, with view OF laying q
pipe line to supply Randsburg with water
from the lake. The lower part OF the lake,
as is we'll known, is rather too alkaline Tor
ordinary use, hut at the upper and near
the mouth OF Owens River the wafer is
sweet, fresh and cool as spring water.
This is the nearest point from which it is
practical bic to get water for the Rands-
burg district. The head waters of Kern
River are but little more than half the
distance TO Owens Lake, but the interven-
ing mountains present d .ficulties winch
are insurmountable except at enormou
expense. for relay pumping stations. The
size of the pipe line Will be the only limit |
10 The supply, and there are no great en-
cheering difficulties to be overcome IN
securing it. The necessary preliminary
inspection hos already been made of the
several routes to the lake, and the most
practicable about determined upon, sub
ject to The approval OF the parties inter
ested financially in the promotion OF the
From the head of the lake, where the
intake will be placed, to Randsburg, the
more feasible route is something less than
eighty miles or little more than the dis
tance in a straight line. The route will
skirt the eastern side of the lake till just
north OF Oiancha, whence it will strike off
in southeasterly direction and continue
until it crosses the road from Mojave to
Panaminte, stnortheast # the boundary
line between Kern and San Bernar-
dino counties, whence it will turn 10 the
south and run in nearly a straight line to
Randsburg. The only part of The line
where any serious difficulty will be ex-
perienced will be that over the gap be-
tween the Argosy and Coso mountains
though the rise from Olancha to this point
is not unusually great. Once over the |
gap the rest of the way will be down hill |
as 1t were. No ditching will have to be !
done 10 speak of, as it will not be neces- |
sary to bury the pipe except at wagon |
crossings, though considerable trestllng
will be necessary at certain places along
the route.
Once line of the proper size is laid the |
question OF its paving well is settled. The |
charge for wafer can be made at just what
figure under the present prices the owners
choose to fix. The consumption, too, will
not be confined to Randsburg, the line
will be tapped at various points along the
route for Goler Gulch and other camps
and towns that are sure 10 spring up as
the country north of Randsburg is pros
pected and developed.