OCR Text |
Show 1252 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS and its volume found to be 27.5 cubic feet per second, which may be considered as the minimum amount, as rain had not fallen for several weeks previously. The geology, climate, and agricultural resources of this region have been so ably described in previous annual reports anil also by Professor Stevenson in Vo'iime III of your quarto reports, that any detailed description by me would be superfluous, hence I will merely remark that an abundance of water, wood, and grass was found at nearly all of our camps, except in the San Luis Valley. The small valleys along the streams which empty into the South Platte and Arkansas are occupied by settlers whose principal pursuit is stock- raising. Considerable portions of these valleys have been teiiccd in and are utilized for hay- land and pasturage, as during severe wiutero, when there is a heavy snow- fall, the cattle must be fed on hay nntil the snow is reduced in depth. Deer and other game were frequently seen in the mountains after the 1st of November, and herds of antelope in the upper portions of the San Luis Valley, and on the plains east of Pueblo. The streams in this section are generally not well stocked with fish, none being found in some of the larger, as Tarryall Creek. An instance of the devastating effect of violent rain- storms or cloud- burste was observed at Duck Lake on the Tarryall Creek. In the fall of 1875 a heavy shower of limited area bnrst over the mountains on the east side of the creek, the water from which brought down so much earth and loos* material that the stream was choked up, and the water spread over the valley, converting some hundreds of acres of hay-land into a miry swamp. The temperature during the day in September and October was moderate and pleasant, the nights cool and refreshing. But little rain fell during these months, and the sky was generally free from clouds, which circumstance greatly facilitated onr triangnlation and topographical work. In November, especially during the latter part of the month, the thermometer ranged duriug the day from 50° to below the freezing- point, while at night and on some mountain stations the mercury went down to zero and below. Frequent snow- storms also interfered with oar work and movements, and made it extremely unpleasant for all members of the party, as well as necessitating the purchase of forage for the animals when the ground was covered with snow. MINES. The first mines visited are Bituated in the new district, in the vicinity of the headwaters of the North Crestou Creek. This district was ( October 27) about to be organized under the name of Creston district. First discoveries* were made in May, 1875, and a number of prospecting shafts had been opened. But little ore had been taken out up to the time of my visit, as there is no mill at the mines and the ore is not rich enough to warrant the cost of shipment to any distance. Some of the quartz which has been milled gave a yield of $ 12 to $ 15 per ton. Three to four thousand dollars have been expended in completing lines of communication to the mines. Timber is convenient and abundant on the slopes and in the gulches where the ore is found, and a sufficient supply of water is also available. The distance to the railroad is about 100 miles at La Veta by the way of Sangre de Cristo Pass. Grain and hay are raised in the valley, and can be furnished at the mines at 2£ cents per pound for oats and $ 15 per ton for hay. EL DORADO MINING DISTRICT. This was visited and reported upon by Mr. Niblack. This district lies between South Creston and Deadman's Creek, and is about 7 miles south of Creston district. It was organized in 1874, and a small town has been built which is called Sangre de Cristo Post Office. Two 5- stamp mills have been erected, but were not in operation when visited, October 29. The character of the ores is about the same as those of the first district, but the yield has not been sufficient to induce much expenditure in the development of the several prospecting shafts. HARDSCRABBLE DISTRICT, ROSITA. This district has been previously reported upon by Dr. Loew. Since his visit the Pocahontas, Humboldt, and Virginia mines have been worked continuously or nearly so, and the yield has been satisfactory, although it has hitherto been necessary to transport the greater part of the ore to Denver for milling. A new mill, in which the leaching process is used, was fiuished last December, and a 20- stanip mill was in process of erection. The estimated yield of the three mines mentioned was for 1875 $ 40,000, and for 1876 $' 200,000 The average yield of ore reduced was $ 110 per ton. In conclusion, I wish to tender my thanks to the topographers, meteorologists, and recorder for their hearty co- operation and geueral attention to their duties throughout the season, thereby making it possible to complete the work assigned within the allotted time. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ERIC BERGLAND, First Lieutenant of Engineer*. Lieut. GEO. M. WHEELER, Corps of Engineers, in charge. |