T5 [ 32 ] 
/•along the stream, on one side or the other, wide enoiigli for a canal; 
but on ascending the Crabtree, whether it be one mile to Middle Fork, 
or np to Swan's old mill, seven and a half miles, such is the steepness 
of tlie shores and the height of tlie liills, that it is believed tlic cixnal 
must occupy the bed of the stream. 
From Swan's mill we ascend the Dividing Ridge or Little Back 
Bone mountain gradually a mile, when the descent is very gentle to 
the glades of Deep Creek. These glades the most favorable ground 
for the summit level of the canal, are enclosed by hills of moderate 
elevation, and the creek passes westward through Hoop-pole llidge 
narrows, when it falls a few feet, passing on the right, previously. 
North Glade — subsequently Meadow mountain Glade, tlicn Cherry 
hill high glade run, and then Buffaloe valley. Its course then conti- 
nues westward through wet ground for six miles, to the lu^ad of the 
rapids, which in a mile terminates at the Youghiogeny River, having 
Bear Point on the left, and Panther Point on the right, which there 
will be occasion again to mention. 
The junction of the creek with the river is at the foot of the Great 
Falls. Tracing up its coarse, we reach, at the distance of nijie miles, 
the Little Youghiogeny coming in from the east, having its source in 
tlie Dividing Ridge; but the river being traced further soutiuvard, is 
found to divide into the Cherry tree branch. Snowy branch, and Dun- 
card Lick. Retracing our steps. Pearl Run comes in from the west, 
in the Great Falls not far above, and opposite to Deep Creek. The 
river continuing its course northward, passes through Winding Ridge 
mountain, and, at the distance of fifteen miles, reaches the mouth of 
Bear Creek, the western end of the second section. Ascending Bear 
Creek Middle Branch in about a southeastern course, we come over a 
low ridge of ground to Buffaloe valley, before mentioned, which leads 
directly, or nearly so, to Deep Creek bridge, two and a half miles 
below, the narrows. 
This general view of the topography of the mountain section, ex- 
plains the occasion and the object of the lines of level, which were 
run by the brigades attached to the Board for these operations, as 
well as to make an accurate and skilful delineation of the ground, to 
enable the government at once to see the relative situation of the 
places named in the reports. 
On making this part of the reconnoissance, it was perceived that 
if a line up the Meadow Mountain Valley should be found practicable 
and preferable, it would permit of excavation above the usual 
surface of Deep creek, free from the incumbrance of much water, 
and, finally, when done, allow of filling the summit level by means 
of a dam on the creek near the rapids, empounding a large body of 
water, to convert the summit into a reservoir; arranging the gates 
of the locks so as to permit of some variation of the surface. The 
base line thus fixed, a central point, to which all distances should re- 
fer, was also established at the bridge. 
The survey of the eastern section of the summit ground was as- 
signed to Capt. M'Neill's brigade, and the western section to Capt, 
Shriver's and the civil surveyors of his party. 
