Hyder weekly herald., 1931-09-02
THE PORTLAND
 CANAL DISTRICT

That portion of the Portland Canal mineral area embracing the Hyder and Stewart districts includes wide range of territory surrounding the head of Portland Canal and extend ing along both shores of that great waterway for approximately 50 miles. Portland Canal forms a portion of the boundary line between Alaska and British Columbia along it's entire 90-mile length, the northerly shore be- ing Alaska territory, the southerly l Canadian.
 A major portion of the mineralized l section of the district lies in British l Columbia and is included in the Stew art district.
 The district lies almost wholly within the eastern part of the Coast Range. The topography as whole is one of great relief, with the higher l peaks ranging from 4,OO0 to 1000 | feet above the valley floors. The mountains in general have been glac- | ially rounded to a height of 5000 feet and sharp pointed, serrate peaks are found only above this altitude. l The valley walls have been glaciated and usually have very steep slopes or, in some parts of the district, sheer cliffs. Huge snow fields and glaciers occupy virtually all of the higher valleys.
 The district is divided by natural conditions into four major sections known as the Bear River, Salmon River, Marmot River and Texas Creek sections. The Bear and Marmot River areas lie wholly in British Columbia. Some 13 miles of the Salmon River area is in Alaska, the remainded ex- tending northward across the inter- national boundary line and some 20 miles into Canadian territory. The Bear and Salmon River areas trend north and south from the head of Portland Canal. The Texas Creek area is entirely in Alaskan territory and extends westerly from the Sal mon River Valley a short distance North of Hyder. Each of these major sections is characterized by a remark able extent and diversity of mineral. ization.
 Considerable misconception exists regarding the climatic conditions of the Portland Canal district. Although situated within the Pacific Coast climatic province. where rainfall is abundant, the climate of the district is much milder than along the north ern British Columbian and Alaska coasts. This is primarily due to the district being situated far inland and surrounded and sheltered from the ocean winds by high mountains,
 Those in position to know say the climate of this section is the finest in Alaska. There is some cold weather in winter, but not as cold as is usual in the northern part of the Mississippi valley. There are but few nights during the winter when it gets down to zero. The snow will some times be from 3 to 5 feet deep in the valleys. although much deeper at high elevations. AS there is prac- tically no wind, the snow does not drift and the travelled roads are kept leveled by graders. The snow is usual ly gone from the valley floors about the first of May.
 The summers are warm and mild, with the long days of northern climes aglow with sunshine in midsummer.
 Vegetation is abundant. The valley bottoms except those occupied by glaciers are we'll wooded. The slopes up to 5000 feet are clothed with dense forest growth, chiefly of hem loSh anu SpI uSS. ICAlON hCuol found locally. Undergrowth of almost tropical density exists in most of the wooded areas. Blueberries, high-bush cranberries and salmon berrier grow wild in remarkable abundance.
 Wild flowers are diversified and abundant Wild roses and flaming fireweed clothe the open spaces in season. Forgetme-nots. Alaska dais- ies, fox glove, wild lilies and many ether varities of flowers and fern growths are found in profusion on the sunny slopes.
 Garden vegetables grow with re- markable rapidity in the long. warm days of summer and possess fine Quolity and flavor. Potatoes have been raised weighing two pounds each.
 Water power sites of large poten- tialities exist at many places in the district and adequate power for pros pscting can usually be developed from mountain streams on most of the mining nrOnertieC Of tha 6iatrict