232 GEOLOGY AND GOLD DEPOSITS OF THE CRIPPLE CREEK DISTRICT. 
true that some large ore bodies as yet show no sign of depletion in depth, and that 
some good pay shoots have been found at a depth of 1,400 to 1,500 feet. On the 
other hand, the number of ore shoots that have been exhausted with increase in 
depth is considerable. 
It is probable that the ore bodies, known or unknown, occurring below the 
1,000-foot zone are neither so large nor so abundant as those nearer the surface. 
The discovery and exploitation of these deeper ore bodies is, moreover, beset with 
increasing difficulties, chief among which is the problem of dealing with the under¬ 
ground water. For these reasons it is unlikely that the zone between the 1,000-foot 
and 2,000-foot levels will yield as much as the zone between the surface and the 
1,000-foot level, but it is probable that some strong fissures may carry payable ore 
to far greater depths than those yet attained. 
As regards the zone above the 1,000-foot or 1,500-foot level, it is well to bear in 
mind that it still contains much ore, both as parts of known ore shoots and as yet 
undiscovered ore bodies. It is certain that many of these undeveloped ore bodies 
will be mined in the near future and that this zone will contribute the most 
important part of the production. 
It is probable that the production of the district, while exhibiting fluctuations, 
will, on the whole, slowly decline. New ore bodies will undoubtedly be discovered 
from time to time, and individual mines may be as profitable in the future as they 
have been in the past, or even more so. An increased output may be expected to 
follow each successful step in deep drainage. But existing conditions indicate 
that if the maximum production of $18,000,000, in 1900, is to be surpassed, the 
increase will be due to the ore bodies encountered in the upper zone. 
r 
