128 IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 



sought in the development of electric power. There is at present more power 

 developed in the Yuba Eiver Basin than upon any other river in California. Some 

 idea may be obtained of the magnitude of these works when it is understood that 

 there are about 1,000 miles of ditches which cost, including reservoirs and dams, at 

 least $6,600,000, in addition to which are the power stations, lines, etc., mentioned 

 elsewhere in this report. An interesting feature in the development of water is its 

 successive use. A diagram (fig. 3) is herewith presented which shows in general 

 the mode. Water from Lake Spaulding and Lake Bowman systems is first used 

 for mining; it is then picked up bj' the Nevada division of the Bay Counties Power 

 Company and used for power, and immediately falls into the head of the Excelsior 

 Ditch and is used for mining and irrigation at and below Smartsville, falling in this 

 distance from l:,Si6 feet at Lake Spaulding or 5,450 feet at Lake Bowman to 200 

 feet above tide around Smartsville. 



In the diversion of water into and from its own drainage basin Yuba River 

 presents both cases. Water from the South Fork of Feather River is diverted 

 across the divide between it and Yuba River at Woodville, at an elevation of 3,200 

 feet above tide, and is used in and around Challenge and bj^ the Consolidated York 

 Mining Company. Yuba River water from the South Yuba Water Company's 

 system is diverted into the basin of Bear River, thence into the basin of American 

 River, and some, via the New Blue Point Mining Company's Ditch, back into the 

 basin of Yuba River. 



OPINIONS UPON POINTS SUBMITTED IN CIRCULAR LETTER. 



The conditions and circumstances attending the establishment of water rights in 

 Yuba River Basin vary material^ from those connected with the water rights 

 acquired later for irrigation. Hence the same adjudications can not bei applied to 

 both. 



In the circular of instructions sent to those in charge of the investigation reported 

 in this bulletin there were several heads under which it was desired that they should 

 express an opinion. The opinions expressed below by the writer on seven of these 

 points are not in all cases specifically applicable to Yuba River, but are based upon 

 a general acquaintance with the conditions throughout the State. 



(1) The foundation of any system of administrative laws is the method of establishing rights to 

 the stream. In your discussion of the results in California the first question to be considered is 

 whether or not the present method of filing and recording claims to water is satisfactory. If not, what 

 should take its place? 



The present method of recording claims is not satisfactorj', as the record can be 

 made part of a claim to that which does not exist, namely, a surplus of water, laying 

 the basis in some instances for vexatious suits at law. 



The existence of a surplus of water should be determined by some competent 

 State authority and the claim should be recorded in both the county and a central 

 State office. 



(2) Is the present method of adjudicating rights satisfactory? If not, what should replace it? 



The present method of adjudicating rights is not satisfactorj\ The laws are 

 contradictory, and have been evolved on opposing lines, and rest on no rational nor 



