210 THE AURIFEROUS GRAVELS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA. 
him to speak with any degree of certainty in regard to the number and con- 
nection of the various channels in Sierra and Plumas. That there are several 
of them, and that their general course is in a southerly direction oblique to 
that of the streams in the region, seems not to be doubted. That they are 
very extensive and as yet but imperfectly developed is also a matter of cer- 
tainty. 
An abstract of Mr. Hendel’s views (taken from the account referred to on 
the preceding page) in regard to the course of the channels will be given 
here,* as it contains the latest views of those practically acquainted with 
the district, and appears trustworthy ; although, perhaps, the resources of the 
county are depicted in somewhat too glowing colors. The difficulty and ex- 
pense of getting water to the high gravels of Sierra and Plumas counties must 
be taken into consideration. The form and drainage of the summits of the 
range are not so favorable for the collection of the large bodies of water 
necessary to keep up a supply during the dry season as they are farther 
south. Some of the gravel deposits, indeed, are, as will be seen farther on, 
on the very summits of isolated peaks, where an abundant supply of water 
would be an entire impossibility. Still, even with these drawbacks, there is 
undoubtedly an immense field for the development of the hydraulic mining 
interest in the region in question. In regard to this pomt Mr. Hendel re- 
marks that, although there are fifty mining ditches in the county, with an 
aggregate length of 220 miles, and having cost about $ 750,000, there is still 
demand for more water, as the present supply lasts only from four to eight 
months. 
According to Mr. Hendel’s views, there are three distinct lines of gravel, 
or channels, running across Sierra County with a general north and south 
course. One of these, however, is divided into two parallel branches for a 
considerable distance, as will be seen from the following description given in 
Mr. Hendel’s own words : | — 
“The most eastern of these channels appears to come from Plumas County, in the north. It 
crosses Feather River near Beckwith’s Pass,+ continues thence, in conjunction with a channel com- 
ing from the northwest (passing Gold Lake), as one grand river in a southwesterly course, passes 
the Key-Stone quartz mine and Milton’s Ranch, crosses the old Henness Pass wagon-road near the 
‘middle waters,’ — having been so far but very little opened, —thence along the mining camps of 
* See Fifth Report of the United States Commissioner of Mining Statistics, pp. 77-90. 
+ A diagram of the position of the Plumas and Sierra County channels will be given farther on in this 
volume. 
{ Probably a misprint for Beckworth’s Pass. 
