271 



Kilometres width increases gradually, the mountains, par- 

 ticularly on the southeast side, retreating 

 farther and farther back. The grade of the river 

 also changes and is reduced from eight feet to 

 the mile (1-52 m. per km.), which it held in 

 the gorge, to about three feet to the mile (-57 m. 

 per km.). The vegetation, too, becomes typical 

 of the Pacific coast and shows the effect of a 

 moist, warm climate on a rich soil. 

 86m. Agassiz — Alt. 54 ft. (16-5 m.). Agassiz 



138-4 km. is virtually at the head of the Fraser delta. Five 

 miles (8 km.) to the north, at the southern end 

 of Harrison lake, is the hot spring known as 

 St. Alice's well. The waters, which contain a 

 large percentage of sodium and some potassium 

 sulphate, rise with a temperature of 150 F. 

 out of the crevices in Cretaceous rocks near 

 the contact of a later hornblende granite. The 

 springs probably represent the last traces of 

 volcanic forces which were once active in this 

 part of the Coast and Cascade mountains and 

 of which Mt. Baker, to the south, is such a 

 striking witness. 



FRASER DELTA. 

 Topography. 



The delta of the Fraser river is compound in structure 

 and was built up at different times, beginning with the 

 Eocene. Its construction was continued at the close of 

 the Glacial period and is being carried on at the present 

 time. The region embraced within this compound delta 

 extends from Agassiz westward to the Pacific coast and 

 runs southward across the International Boundary line. 

 To the east it abuts against the Cascade range, and its 

 northern boundary is the Coast range, while its southern 

 limit is in the State of Washington. 



The topography of the delta is in the main low and fairly 

 level, with elevations ranging from sea level to about 

 400 feet (122 m.) above it. However, here and there in 

 the upper part an isolated hill stands above the general 

 level, reaching an altitude of about 1,000 feet (304-8 m.) 

 above the sea. Sumas and Chilliwack mountains are 

 typical examples of the higher eminences. 



