GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



Extent of 

 country to be 

 traversed. 



Preliminary 

 Report. 



party of the Canadian Pacific Bailway Survey, for the purpo.se of 

 ascertaining the main geological features of the country traversed and 

 its prospective value for agricultural or pastoral occupation. This 

 exploration occupied seven months, and involved a journey by rail 

 and steamboat of 6,160 miles, and by ^pack-train, canoe and waggon of 

 about 2,380 miles. The region to which attention was more especially 

 directed lay between the mouth of the Skeena Eiver on the Pacific 

 Coast and Edmonton on the Saskatchewan Eiver, including also Pine 

 River Pass and its approaches and the fertile country north and south 

 of Peace Eiver. 



The vast extent of country to be traversed left but little time for 

 the examination of geological details, and caused the exploration 

 to assume, to a great extent, the character of a rapid reconnaisance of 

 the physical and economic features of the country. A general geolo- 

 gical section has, however, been obtained from the Skeena Eiver to the 

 Peace Eiver country east of the Eocky Mountains, also much new 

 geographical and general information respecting the climate and 

 natural resources of the region, including meteorological observations 

 and illustrative photographs. 



The work of 18*79 having been carried on in connection with the 

 Canadian Pacific Eailway Survey, a preliminary report of its results 

 has been prepared at the request of Mr. Sandford Fleming, Bngineer- 

 in-Chief, and is published as Appendix No. 7 of the Eailway Report. 

 This deals chiefly with the climate and agricultural value of the region 

 traversed, but includes also general notes on its geological features 

 and minerals of economic importance. A detailed report, in which 

 the geological structure of the country is treated of at greater 

 length, and which will be accompanied by a map, is now in course of 

 preparation. 

 Explorations of Dr. R. Bell, assisted by Mr. Cochrane, was occupied in completing 

 son River basin and extending the work of the previous season in the region to the 

 north and north-west of Lake Winnipeg. Track surveys and geological 

 examinations were made extending over a total distance of 1,100 

 miles, including the following rivers and lakes : — 



Nelson River Basin and Lake Winnipeg. 



1. The east side of Lake Winnipeg, from Dog's Head to the mouth of 



Red River. 



2. The Nelson River, from Goose-hunting River to the point reached from 



the sea in 1878, including Split Lake and Gull Lake. 



3. Grass River and lakes upon its course, from the mouth to the head of 



the east branch. 



4. The western channels of Sipi-wcsk Lake and the channels leading to 



and from Duck Lake. 



