DRAINAGE OF SIERRA COUNTY. 209 
In addition to the information gathered during repeated visits to Sierra 
and Plumas counties by the writer and other members of the Geological Corps, 
we have some valuable materials from the pen of Mr. C. W. Hendel, who pre- 
pared an elaborate account of the mining operations in the district in question, 
in 1872, which was published in the Fifth Report of the Commissioner of Min- 
ing Statistics, and to which frequent reference will be made in the course of the 
following pages.* A much more detailed and thorough investigation will have 
to be carried on in this region than has yet been before all the important 
questions can be solved which are here presented. Some most interesting 
and suggestive facts can, however, be brought forward at the present time, 
and itis to be hoped that these will be speedily supplemented by further 
information, to be gathered and utilized in the manner already suggested in 
a former page of this volume. 
Sierra County is principally drained by the branches of the North Fork of 
the Yuba, the main stream having a nearly due west course for most of the 
way from its source, but turning suddenly just before reaching the foot-hills 
and running south for about twenty miles to its junction with the Middle 
Yuba, just below San Juan. It is with the head waters of the North and Mid- 
dle Yuba that the peculiar course of the rivers of the northern portion of the 
Sierra first becomes noticeable. These branches of the Yuba run for some 
distance in a northwest direction parallel with the crest of the Sierra, before 
turning to assume their normal direct descent down the slope of the range. 
The Feather River exhibits this peculiarity in a much more marked degree, 
as already mentioned.| The branches both of the Middle and the North Fork 
of that river run for a long distance toward the northwest before turning to 
cross the main belt of the Sierra, and after reaching the foot-hills the course 
of the united stream is nearly south, and parallel with that of the Sacra- 
mento, which it does not join until it arrives within fifteen miles of the junc- 
tion of the American River. 
In view of these peculiarities of drainage, it is not surprising that the chan- 
nels of the ancient rivers exhibit corresponding features, differing from those 
of the Sierra slope to the south of the Yuba. In Plumas and Sierra counties 
the general direction of the channels seems to be nearly north and south. 
The data at the writer’s command, at present, are far from sufficient to enable 
* An extensive series of barometrical observations were made in Plumas County by the writer and Mr. 
Wackenreuder, chiefly in 1866, but they have not yet been computed and reduced. 
J See ante, p. 11. 
