286 B. N. A. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 
662. It would appear not only on theoretical grounds, but as the — 
result of experience, that the rain-fall of the Red River Valley, assisted 
by the water remaining in the soil from the spring floods, is as a 
rule amply sufficient for agricultural purposes. 
663. The question of water supply, seemed some years ago a difficult 
one in the Red River Valley. Great areas of level and fertile prairie, lie 
far from any stream, or are only traversed by coulées, which dry up com- 
pletely during the summer. The structure of the country renders the 
existence of surface springs almost an impossibility. This apparent dif- 
ficulty is, however, being solved in the most satisfactory manner ; as it is 
found that there are few regions where ordinary wells of moderate depth 
do not succeed in finding ample supplies of water ; and this not only far 
removed from the rivers, but in their immediate vicinity, though the 
water level of the stream may lie considerably lower than that of the 
bottom of the well. The rather impervious nature of the prairie sub- 
soil, renders it probable that these wells are supplied eithé by inter- 
calated coarser layers, or,—as appears to be more likely—by water circu- 
lating in fissures ; which formed originally by the cracking of the soil 
at the surface, often penetrate its homogeneous mass to a considerable 
depth. 
664. The success of artesian wells, at Winnipeg (§ 577) also tends to 
show that no apprehension need exist, with regard to water supply. Water 
is there formed in a gravelly stratum lying above the boulder-clay, and 
has, I believe, sufficient head to form flowing wells. It is further probable 
that a second water-bearing stratum might be reached by continuing the 
boring through the boulder-clay, to the more porous stratum which 
usually intervenes between it and the solid rock. 
665. For the supply of the shallower wells first referred to, the water 
is no doubt mainly derived from that which falls during the wet months, 
on the surface of the prairie itself. The water obtained by the artesian 
wells, however, has not this source,.and comes from below the most 
tenaceous beds of the alluvium. It is introduced, no doubt, at the edges of 
the more permeable layers where they come to the surface east and west 
of the alluvial valley. That there must necessarally be a considerable 
underground circulation of water, is rendered evident on inspecting the 
region near Pembina Mountain. The gaps worn in the front of this 
escarpment, are occupied by streams, some of which drain considerable 
areas, and are not dry even in the latter part of the summer. All these, 
except a few of the very largest, where they debouch on the low-level 

