GOLD IN SOLOMON AND NIUKLUK BASINS. 151 
into Ophir Creek and taken up again lower downstream by one of the 
existing ditches. It was estimated that about 8,000 miner's inches 
of water were available from the Pargon, but during the dry period 
of last summer only about 500 inches were delivered by the ditch. 
Another project for leading water from Pargon River to Ophir 
Creek is under way, but as yet actual ditch construction has made 
little progress. Up to the present time the work of the company has 
been devoted mainly to surveying the course for the ditch, making 
preliminary observations, and acquiring rights of way. The proposed 
ditch will take water from a point considerably below the completed 
one, and for that reason should have more water available. 
The operations on Ophir Creek during 1906 were carried on less by 
individuals and more by large companies than in previous years. 
The most active work had been done by the dredge at the "Portage," 
by elevators near Sweetcake and Dutch creeks, by derricks a little 
above Dutch Creek, and by shoveling in near the mcuth of Crooked 
Creek. Above Crooked Creek no work has been done on Ophir Creek 
during the last summer. In regard to the tributaries it may be said 
that a little mining has been done on Sweetcake Creek, but the values 
do not seem to extend much more than a mile above its mouth. On 
Dutch Creek a little mining has also been done. The small stream 
joining Ophir Creek near claim "19 above" has been prospected, but 
does not seem to carry values above its mouth. Along Crooked Creek 
for a distance of 2 miles the creek has been worked continuously all 
summer by parties ranging in size from 2 to 14 men. The fact that 
almost all the side streams carry gold has led to an enrichment of 
the main-stream gravels. Practically every one of the bonanzas of 
Ophir Creek has occurred in the main stream at the junction of a side 
stream. The recognition of this feature, which also prevails on 
many other 'streams, should be of some assistance in prospecting 
undeveloped regions. 
RICHTER, CAMP, AND GOLDBOTTOM CREEKS. 
Richter Creek, the first tributary of the Niukluk from the south- 
west above Ophir Creek, although the goal of one of the stampedes 
that took place a few years ago, seems now to be exhausted and its 
output is negligible. Camp Creek has been worked by prospectors 
during the last summer, but the locations have been made mainly on 
the gravels near the Niukluk. The mine described on page 148 may 
be cited as an example of this kind of development. Goldbottom 
Creek and its branch, Warm Creek, tributary to the Niukluk a little 
above Camp Creek, have produced some placer gold during the last 
summer. Activities, however, have not been pushed with as much 
vigor as in previous years, only two or three small parties having been 
working on these creeks. 
