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 51 Vic. 
 
 Irrkjation uy Artesian Wells. 
 
 i ) ■••) 
 
 IKfilGATION BY ARIESIAN WELJ.S. 
 
 REPORT OF EXPLORATORY SUR\EY. 
 
 BY MR. E. B. MoKAY, C. E. 
 
 Victoria May 18th, 1888. 
 Hon. F. G. Venwn, 
 
 Chief Commissioner of Lands an ' Vorks, B. C. 
 
 Sir,— I have the honour to submit a report of an examination of the country in the 
 interior of British Columbia comprising the Vallej'sof the Thompson and the Nortii and Soutii 
 Thompson Rivers, Grand Prairie, Spallumchecn and Mission Valleys, Okanajrun, and the 
 country between Vernon and Round Prairie, Cache Creek, and Nicola Valley. The object of 
 this examination was to ascertain from the f^eological formation of the country the likeliliood 
 of obtaining water for irrigation and domestic purposes by the boring or sinking of artesian 
 wells. 
 
 On my arrival at Kamloops I at once proceeded to Tranquille, at the upper end of the 
 Kamloops Lake. 
 
 1 travelled along the base of the r'dge of rocky hills which bound the extensive flat of 
 land lying on the north bank of the river (this range of hills rises to a height of from 1,000 to 
 1,200 feet above tlie river). On this flat of land there is no water for irrigation purpost^s until 
 Tranquille Creek is reached, at the extreme westerly end of the valley. This t;reek only 
 supplies water enough for irrigation of the two farms on the delta of the creek, and power to 
 drive Mr. Fortune's saw and grist mills. Along the outer edge of this range are numerous 
 fans of broken rock, which fill the ravines in the hill-sides and convey the water to a lower 
 strata, which is composed of the rock slides and glacial deposit which (ill the bottom of the 
 valley. Overlying th j strata is a bed of stratified clay, or silt, which has at some time formed 
 the deposit at the bottom of a lake, which then tilled these valleys. 
 
 Behind this first range of hills is an extensive plateau of undulating land, composed of 
 drift deposit lying on an exceedingly irregular rocky bed. The whole plateau is studded with 
 lakes, varying in size from a few hundred feet to one or two miles long. They mostly show 
 bold banks, often with rocky sides, and most of them have no outlet (on the surface) except 
 what is due to the soakage, and yet they maintain various levels, varying sometimes as much 
 as fifty feet, when the lakes are not more than a few hundred feet apart. This all points to 
 some underground channel for the conveying away of this water to some lower level in the 
 bottom of the valley, and as the thick strata of clay is quite impervious to water, it does not 
 rise to the surface, but is kept down by the overlying strata of clay. I think that this water- 
 bearing strata can be struck by boring in the valley, and that the depth will in no instance 
 exceed 300 feet, or at most 400. 
 
 Further examination of this part of the country was prevented by a snow storm, but on 
 my return from the South Thompson River I will make further examination, and also of the 
 North River, of which I only saw a few miles ; yet from what I saw, the general features of 
 the country are the same. 
 
560 
 
 Irrigation by Artesian Wells. 
 
 18SS 
 
 South Thompson. 
 
 I next proceeded to " Duck's," along the road on the south bank of river. The valley 
 diffcis somewhat from the valley below Kauiloops. There is a well-defined bench of varying 
 widtli on l)(.th sides of the river, and aliove this is a second bench or terrace, at a uniform U'vel 
 of about 120 feet above the river. This second bench is wanting in the valley below Kam- 
 loops, and also in the North River, as far as I have seen it. Above this second bench rises the 
 undulating country, with an extensive water-shed fron) the higher range which shuts in the 
 valley. 
 
 Stke<vms. 
 
 The only streams entering the South River from the south are, tirst, Campbell's Creek, 
 about twelve miles from Kamloops, and, next. Duck's Creek, about seventeen miles from the 
 same place, and Chases, at the extreme easterly end of the valley. The otlusr streams are 
 insi-nificant, and cannot be relied on for irrigation purposes, except in years of exceptional 
 rain" or snowfall. Considerable pains and expense have been gone to by the various farmers 
 to flume and bring them into use for irrigation purposes, with but indifferent success. This 
 arises from the fact that on the south bank the terraces are cut up and have a (juicker slope, 
 rendering ii'rigation more difficult. Fiom my observations I have no doubt that water will be 
 struck by boring on the lower benches, and in some places on the higher terraces, and in no 
 case would the boring exceed 300 feet 
 
 North Bank. 
 
 On the noi h bank there are some fine flats of land, with but an indiff'erent supply of 
 water. In fact, the only creeks wheie water is at all sure are the creek at Pemberton's and 
 one at Graham's. Above this I did not go on this side, as the land is nearly all Indian 
 Reserve. The water-shed is very extensive, and out of all proportion to the quantity of water 
 in the creeks. A great quantity of water disappears into the loose rock above the second 
 bench, and at the foot of the main range. This water must Hnd its way into the valley under 
 the clay. 
 
 In some places small springs occur in a band of quicksand. Sometimes this band is not 
 more than a few inches thick, and was never noted more than a foot in thickness. When 
 there is no water on the surface these springs will continue to run, showing that they are 
 supplied by water from below, and from a great distance. 
 
 Grand Prairie. 
 
 On leaving Duck's, on the South Thompson, I proceeded to Grand Prairie and made a 
 careful examination of this most interesting part of the country. 
 
 Grand Prairie is evidently the filled up or drained bed of a lake, and has an elevation of 
 2,000 feet. Irrigation is here necessary. On the lowering of the waters, which have at some 
 period stood at a level of some hundreds of feet above the present prairie level, the mouth of 
 the valley has become blocked by the fans thrown out by the creek which enters from the east 
 on Ingram's ranch, and by an opposing creek, which is now nearly dry, but, judging by the 
 fan thrown out by it, it must have been of considerable volume. Tliis blocking of the valley 
 has formed the extensive flat known as Grand Prairie, The Salmon River, which has its rise 
 in Salmon Lake, to the south-west of the valley, runs through the prairie, and is used exten- 
 sively for irrigation during the period of high water. During the winter months the river bed 
 is dry, and when the rise of the river takes place the first water used for irrigation is so cold 
 as to seriously check the growth of cereals, and when water is wanted for root crops the river 
 has fallen. 
 
 The reason of this I found, on examination, to be caused by the fact that the subsoil of 
 the prairie is composed of washed gravel, covered by a rich sandy loam, varying in thickness 
 from a few inches to many feet. This covering of soil thins out towards the edge of the 
 prairie, where the gravel succeeds it. The water of the river sinks into the gravel and flows 
 underground until it reaches the low ground at the north-east corner of the prairie, where it is 
 found issuinp- from the gravel in a swampy hollow, and forming Salmon River. 
 
 At the time of my visit, the quantity of water in the river south-west from the prairie 
 and that issuing from the north-east portion into Salmon River, near the road crossing, was 
 much the same, while the river bed across the prairie was entirely dry. 
 
61 Vic. 
 
 InniGATiox BY Artesian Wells. 
 
 661 
 
 Water for household uses is found bv sinking at an averagi^ deptli of about forty feet, in 
 gravol. When tliis hnel is reached, the water cMimot be lowered by pumping or baling, and 
 during the fall of the river in winter a eorresponding lowering of the water in the wells is 
 noticed. In summer, at high water, the water in the wells is at a higher level and much 
 cold r. 
 
 Part of the water for irrigation is obtained from Summit Lake, and is much better suited 
 for the purpose, being warmer. This lake could (with a proper system of storage and fhiming 
 the water over the gravel outcrop) be made to find abundance of water for the wiiole prairie. 
 The only diawltack to this plan is the fact that the road from Duck's to Orand Prairie runs 
 for a considerable portion of its length along the lake shore, at a few feet above high water, 
 and any considerable rise of the lake would call for a corresponding rise of the roadway. 
 
 In view of the foregoing observations, which I have taken every pains to prove, 1 do not 
 feel justified in advising the e.xpendituro of a boring to reach any water-bearing strata which 
 might be struck at a great depth. 
 
 Okaxaoan .Mission Valley. 
 
 On leaving Grand Prairie I found the snow still of considerable depth in Spallumcheen 
 Valley, so I pushed on to Mission Valley. During my stay I made healquaiters at Mr. 
 Lequime's, and extended my examination to every point of interest, carefully going over a 
 greater part of the water-sheds of the valley. I examined the extensive plati-au above and to 
 the south and southeast of tlie Roman Catholic Mission, and extending up the south-east side 
 of Mission Creek. Tliis part of the valley is composed of undulating foot-hills, with extensive 
 fiats above Mission Creek. The hilly portion cannot be brought under cultivation, even 
 should water be found, as irrigation is rendered impossible, owing to the irregular contour of 
 the hills and the 'ight sandy nature of the soil. 
 
 Considerable quantities of good land could be brought into cultivation on the flats above 
 the creek, and the extensive water-shed to the south from the range of mountains which run 
 east and west to the Okanagan Lake make it more tiian likely that water could be obtained 
 by boring here. 
 
 Turning to that portion of the valley which carries the drainage from Long and Duck 
 Lakes along the east side of this water-shed which terminates in Mill Creek, and is joined by 
 a small creek which comes in from the east of the vallijy and Hows through Mr. Postill's ranch, 
 at the base of the undulating hills which back on to Bluc^ Mountain is the best location for 
 boring. This extensive flat commands considerablt; land, and the hills contain in the undula- 
 tions numerous lakes. Springs break out here in one or two places which run all summer. 
 
 Short-Cut Valley. 
 
 I explored a valley opening out of Mission Valley and running parallel to Okanagan 
 Lake. Here considerable land is under cultivation. Water for irrigation and also for stock 
 and householc "lurposes is much needed. Irrigation has not been attempted, as the supply of 
 water is extremely uncertain. However, I learned that in an ordinary dry year about one ton 
 per acre of fall wheat was threshed by F. Brant from ground in this valley. A few wells 
 have be(!n sunk- in some cases quite a depth. The one I examined was about sixty feet. 
 Only an indifferent supply of water was obtained, principally surface water, the sinking being 
 through blue-gray cement. 
 
 This valley does not offer any great extent of land for irrigation, or any special advantages; 
 still, I think, a well sunk near the north end of the valley might repay a boring, as I do not 
 think the depth could exceed 200 feet. 
 
 Mission Flat. 
 
 Mission Flat, or that part of the valley lying between and to the north-west of Mission 
 Creek, is well supplied witli water from Mission Creek, wliich stream is rapidly changing its 
 course. The north-west branch, which crosses the road near Mr. Brant's, is, or will soon be, 
 the principal channel, as the blanch which pas.ses to the south of the Roman Catholic Mission 
 is lieing blocked by fallen and float timber, thus forcing the water into the north west branch. 
 Quantities of good land are here uncultivated or in rye-grass, where, with a little expenditure 
 for irrigation, good crops might be raised. 
 
562 
 
 Irrigation nt Artesian Wells. 
 
 1888 
 
 Gf.neral Features. 
 
 The wliole of Mission Vnlley and Inaiicliing valleys are surrounded by extensive undu- 
 lating hills, in sonic tasch rising to a gieat height, and holding in their undulations considerable 
 
 lakes without visibi' 
 of but small cxtcMit. 
 be tapped by borin;. 
 
 outlet. Lower down, springs appear in places, forming running streams 
 This, how(!ver, points to an underground supply ; and should this supply 
 nil abundance ni water will be obtained. 
 
 Vernon, Okanaoan. 
 
 On leaving Missinn Vtillcy I returned to Vernon, and made a careful examination of the 
 country surrounding that place as far as Pleasant Valley, and the valley of the Coldstream as 
 far as the Nelson l>anc}i. 
 
 Wafer for doineslie purposes is much needed in the to.vn of Vernon, as all the wells at 
 present sunk are strongly imjiregnated with alkali, carried down with the suifaee water. 
 
 On the high plateau above the town to the east, occupied by the farms of Mr. Price 
 Elli.'^^on and the 1'.. C Express Company, iVc, water is uiuch needed, and can, from the forma- 
 tion of the ground, lie obtained high cinough to command a large area of land where irrigation 
 is much needed. To the southeast of the town there is, between tiie foot of the Long Lake 
 and the arm of Okauagan Lake, an extensive plateau of good land, but much too high to 
 obtain water for irri^jition by luiring, as tiie water supply lying above consists of small springs 
 find lakelets. In boring at this height, it is extremely unlikely that the water-bearing strata 
 Wiiuld be struck, from the proximity of Long Lake. 
 
 At th(! foot of this riiige, nt'ar the road from Vernon to Mission Valley, there is a strong 
 spiing issuing from the ground, which nigiit bo used for the town supply, as it consists of 
 beautiful water and continues to run tl.o year round. 
 
 Leaving Vernon, the road skirts the shon; of Swan Lake until the divide at O'Keef's is 
 reached. The valley of Swan Lake (or, more properly. Pleasant Valley) continues +,o run 
 north, divided from thi- Slough Luke Creek (which carries the drainage of Otter Lake into the 
 Okanagan Lake) by an undulating timl)ered ridge. In this valley are numbers of fine farms, 
 where water, both for irrigation and stock, is much needed. The valley, to the east, is backed 
 up by an extensive water-shed, the foot-hills holding numbers of small lakes Water could be 
 obtained here at a reasonable depth, varying from, I should say, 150 to 300 feet. 
 
 Turning to th(! west, there is a line plateau of land lying between the road to Salmon 
 River and that to Lansdcwne. This land is of little value without water (although taken up 
 and extensively improved). On this flat water might, I think, be obtained, as in the hills to 
 the west of it are numijrous lakes and swamps without much surface outlet. The mountains 
 to the west and north form a vast water-shed, and in the depression (through which runs the 
 Salmon River trail) there is no stream, and only some few blind lakes. It looks as if there 
 was some underground channel by which the water is conveyed to some lower level, which 
 could be reached by boring. 
 
 The swampy flat wjiich connects the Okanagan Lake and Otter Lake and receives the 
 drainage from Millstream, or Deep Creek (the stream being called by both names), continues 
 to run north-east until near Lansdowne, where the creek turns to the west, then again to the 
 north, running in a deep depression and having in the elbow, which it here makes, the fino 
 farms of Mr. Schubert, &c., and known as Round Prairie. 
 
 RoDND Prairie. 
 
 Water is much needed at this point, all water having to be hauled from Deep Creek. On 
 Mr. Schubert's ranch the divining rod was tried, and in the hands of an expert showed that 
 water would bo obtained at a depth of about fifty feet. Mf. Schubert, with a faith which 
 deserved to be rewarded, sunk (on the spot indicated Ijy the diviner) a beautiful shaft to the 
 depth of 125 feet, without any water being met with. A bore was then put down at the 
 bottom of this shaft some 40 feet further, and when abandoned the depth of soil or stratified 
 clay had not been reached. Another well was then started, near the road from Salmon River, 
 and a shaft 120 feet sunk. This well is in a particularly good place, but no water was struck, 
 and the sinking was abandoned, as the ventilation of a well of this depth was u great draw- 
 back to the speed of sinking. Should a site for a bore be wanted, this well is at your disposal, 
 
.">l Vic. 
 
 Irrigation by Artesian Wells. 
 
 563 
 
 and from the situation, a better site could not, in my opinion, be selected. This, together 
 with the fact that 120 feet of boring would bo avoided, would cheapen the cost of boring 
 considerably. 
 
 SpalLumcheen. 
 
 Spallumcheen Valley, including that part from Lansdowne to Enderby, was next 
 examined In the town of Lansdowne water is much wanted, as wells sunk to the tirst water- 
 bearing strata soon become strongly impregnated with alkali from the surface. Water could 
 be obtained at a depth varying from 200 to 350 feet. 
 
 Turning from the town of Lansdowne to the north, you enter the Spallumcheen Valley 
 proper. On the east it is bounded by a high range of mountains running north. At their 
 foot a wooded undulating bench falls gradually to a slough-like creek, called Bennett Creek. 
 Rising from this creek is a flat bench from one-quarter to one mile in width. All the land on 
 this bench is under cultivation, but for domestic and irrigation purposes there is no water. 
 Wells have b(\en sunk, but nearly always without striking water. The supply hauled from 
 Bennett Creek is, in the summer months, neither plentiful nor good. The well on the Bennett 
 ife Lumbj farm was some 65 feet deep, and at this depth the soil was found to be the same as 
 that found a few feet from the surface, 
 
 To the west of this bench, and rising to a considerable height, are undulating ridges with 
 some good land in their hollows ; but from their height and the light sandy nature of tho 
 greater part of the soil, and the irregular contour of the land, irrigation, even if water could 
 be obtained, would be diflicult; and from the depth of Deep Creek Valley, it is extremely 
 unlikely that water would be found here by boring. 
 
 The drainage of this upland is partly into Deep Creek and partly into Bennett Creek ; so 
 that, boring on the bench above Bennett Creek, water might, be met with at a depth of 250 
 feet. This would hold good for almost the entire length of the valley, except that portion of 
 it which widens out at the north end, near the ranches of Messrs. Fortune and Campbell, 
 where the valley widens out and the creek keeps on the western side. The boring here would 
 be much deeper— 1 should say, in tho neighbourhood of 500 or 600 feet. 
 
 Nicola Valley. 
 
 Nicola Valley, or that portion lying to the west and on the right bank of the Nicola 
 River, contains some 1,400 acres of good land, but entirely without water for irrigation or 
 domestic purposes. This flat of land is, in one unbroken bench, on the right bank, at an 
 elevation of about 80 feet above the river. Above this bench, to the west, rise the main range 
 of mountains, with undulating foot-hills rising to the upper plateau. On this plateau arc 
 numbers rf swampy lakes, which give rise to Mill Creek, which flows into the Nicola River 
 near the western end of the lake. At a point about one or one and a half miles above the 
 junction of Mill Creek and Nicola River, a small stream enters Mill Creek from the north- 
 west. Both these creeks, at the time of my visit (May 1st), were running bank full; but I 
 was assured by Mr. Clapperton that in an average year, in July, the creeks do not carry 
 much more than the already recorded number of inches of water. A scheme was on foot to 
 bring water from Mill Creek on to the bench mentioned, by fluming and ditching. I went 
 over the line of ditch (which had been surveyed) in company with Messrs. Clapperton and 
 Dalley. The length of ditch would be some four or five miles, and the greater portion would 
 have to be fluming, as tho sides of the creek are steep and have not holding ground for a 
 ditch, and the gravelly nature of the soil would require pu<ldling in places. At tho point 
 where the ditch would leave the valley of the creek, it would come out on a side-hill of gravel 
 on a rocky bottom, where the depth of soil liowhere exceeds six feet. This side-hill is cut up 
 by numerous ravines, which during melting snow carry heavy streams. Each of these ravines 
 would need to be flum^d, or the ditch would be cut out every spring. I considered, in face of 
 these drawbacks, that a ditch which would have to carry 300 iuclies of water would be much 
 more costly than a trial boring, which would, on the easterly line of Corbett's ranch, be quite 
 likely to strike water at a depth of less than 300 feet. 
 
 Further to the west, between tho Coldwater River and the Nicola River, there is an 
 extensive flat of good laud where water could be obtained by boring, at no great depth— I 
 should say under 100 feet. 
 
664 
 
 InnioATioN nv Ahtesian Wells. 
 
 1888 
 
 Cache Cukek. 
 
 Cachn Creek was my next in ordrr, nnd, leaving Ashcrnft, I drove over to Cache Creek. 
 Between Ashcroft and Cach(! Creek tlien; is an extensive flat of land known as "Boston's" 
 farm. A ditcli was started some (Mglit miles np the Bonapivrto river, for the purpose of taking 
 water from the river on to the flat, which nnist he some tour hundred feet ahove the river. 
 After an expenditure which must liavo been in the neighbourhood of ten thousand (10,000) 
 dollars, the ditch proved a failure, from some mistake in the levelling, and was abandoned. 
 
 On this piece of land I am confident that water would be obtained nijar the eastern end of 
 the valley. There is to the north an extensive range of rocky ridges rising in terraces, and 
 several small lakes; and between this flat and the Thompson River there is a mountain forming 
 a considerable water-shed into the valley in which "Boston's" farm li(!S. 
 
 The valley which branches from Cache Creek is almost a Vmsin, being closed by a slightly 
 rising ridgc! at its westerly end, and running parallel to tiie Thompson River is shut oflf from it 
 by a high ridge of undulating hills, rising to a considerable height. 
 
 At the time of my visit (May 9th) Cache Creek was running bank full, as were all the 
 ditches; but Mr. Semlin assures mi; that d ring the months of July and August water is much 
 needed. The Hai'per ranch, at the easterly end of the valley, has to ditch water five miles, 
 and in the light soil of the side-hills the loss is considerable. 
 
 A bore on the north-easterly foothill beyond this ranch would strike water at a reasonable 
 depth, as near this ranch there is a strong spring, which forms quite a meadow and continues 
 to run all summer. The occurrence of these springs all point to an underground supply which, 
 if tapped at the proper place, will, I feel sure, yield an abundant supply of water. 
 
 Before closing this report, I must expret;s my thanks to the farmers and others in the 
 upper country for many acts of kindness received at their hands. Every one appears to be 
 anxious to help the Government to solve* this problem. Ofi'ers of assistance have been many, 
 and should the boring prove successful the parties benoKted have in every case offered to defray 
 the entire cost of tiie work, if water was struck in sutKcient quantities to bo useful. 
 
 Subjoined, I enclose summary of report, naming district, depth approximately, and nature 
 of soil to be bored through, ic. 
 
 I hav, itc, 
 
 (Signjd) E. B. McKay. 
 
 SUMMARY OF REPORT. 
 
 Thompson River. 
 
 The right, or north, bank of the Thompson River, from Tranquille to the junction with 
 the North Thompson, contains much the largest area in Idock of good land where water is 
 entirely wanting. This flat is from one mile to one and a half miles wide and some five miles 
 long. Boring on this flat would not, I think, exceed over four hundred feet (400). Its 
 proximity to Kamloops and the C. P. R. would make it a good point for a trial boring. 
 
 South Thompson. 
 
 On the north bank of this river is much good land in extensive flats, ranging from eighty 
 to six hundred aci-es in blocks, and entirely svithout water on the lower benches. The higher 
 V)enches, or terrace flats, have small streams which are used for irrigation, but are not sufiicient 
 for both. 
 
 South bank of same river has also large areas of good land with, in some cases, water for 
 irrigation, but mostly with but an indifferent supply. 
 
 The line of the C. P. li. passes along these flats, and material could be placed on the 
 ground within a short distance of the work. 
 
PtuniASKi. \H^UJLoj\,«Jv y^^l 
 
 From MhMlvrY^ (W<5^ C^(^ijXxxj<C 
 
 Place ok Purchask vC » IS^ajJU" 
 
 VnwE .t?.„:^..,..: 
 
 Wells. 
 
 m 
 
 nion, raiso tlie water to the surface, 
 gravel subsoil, tlio water of Salmon 
 rtli-easterly end of the valley, 
 
 and where irrigation cannot be carried 
 lock where water would, I think, be 
 Township 26, Sections 22, 23, and 2C, 
 
 Vernon. 
 
 Boring here (except in the town) would be at a much greater devotion above the general 
 water level of the country; but in Township 9, Sections 35, 3, 2, water would command a largo 
 area of high land. 
 
 Pr.EASANT VaI-LEY. 
 
 In Township 7, Sections 34, 35, 2, 3, 10, 11, 14, 9, 16. The average depth in 2, 35, 11, 
 14 would be from 150 feet to 250 feet; in 9 and 16 from 400 to 500 feet; and in 34, 3, t, say 
 from 500 to 600 feet. Boring here would be in hard clay, and at a great depth boulders 
 might be met with. 
 
 Round Prairie. 
 
 At Schubert's a well is already sunk to a depth of 125 feet and is in good order, and would 
 reduce the cost of boring. Boring hero would go to a depth of about 300 feet. 
 
 Lansdowne, Spallumcheen. 
 
 In the town of Lansdowne, or on the Bennett and Lumby. ranch, a boring would test the 
 whole of the valley from Lansdowne to Enderby, as the formation is much the same. 
 
 Nicola. 
 
 Nicola offers a large area of sphmdid land in block (about 1,200 acres) on a bench about 
 80 feet above the right bank of the river. Boring would be through clay, and boulder clay 
 would be met with after 100 feet is reached; deptjfi about 300 to 350 feet. 
 
 Cache Creek. 
 
 The area of land in Cache Creek valley is small, but when "Boston's" flat of about 300 
 acres is included it is considerable. At the eastern end of the valley, on Harper's ranch, would 
 be a most likely point for a boring, and boring here would not exceed 159 to 200 feet. 
 
 Cost of Boeing. 
 
 Boring in the average strata which I noted (and which is in places exposed to a great 
 depth) would not cost more than from |2 to 12.50 per foot, and in places this, I feel sure, 
 would be reduced. 
 
 BoRiNa Tackle. 
 
 I may here draw your Honour's attention to the fact that you have in Victoria a good set 
 of boring rods and all material for sinking wells of this description ; also the tubing for lining 
 same. With a small outlay for repairs and the purchase of one or more augurs of the most 
 modern pattern, the outfit is complete. 
 
 E. B. McKay. 
 
 VIcrORIA : Printed by RtciiARi) Wolfknbrn, Government PrinUr 
 at the Uuiciiiuent Printing Office, James' Bay. 
 
564 
 
 Irrioation by AiiTEsiAN Wel: 
 
 CaCIIB CllKEK. 
 
 Cacho Crpfk was my noxt in ordf r, nucl, leaving AsluToft, 
 Between Ashcroft ami CiU'lm Crock then; is an cxttnisivo Hat 
 farm. A ditcli was started soine eight miles up tlu! Uonapiirte 
 vater from tlio river on to tlio flat, wliieli nnist le some four 
 After an expenditure wliicli must liave been in the neiyhhourh 
 dollars, the ditch proved a failure, from some mistake in the le\ 
 
 On this piece of land I am eonlidert that water would he o 
 the valley. There is to the north an extensiv- ranite of rocky 
 several small lakes; and between this flat and the Thompson Hi 
 a considerable water-shed into the valley in which "Boston's" f( 
 
 The volley which branches from Cache Crec k is almost a 1: 
 rising ri(lg(! at its westerly end, and running parallel to (ho Thouijison Kiver is shut otl trom it 
 by a high ridge of undulating hills, rising to a considerable height. 
 
 At the time of my visit (May 9th) Cache Creek was running bank full, as were all the 
 ditches; but Mr. Semlin assures me that during the months of July and August water is much 
 needed. The Harper ranch, at the easterly end of the valley, has to ditch water five miles, 
 and in the light soil of the side-hills the? loss is considerable. 
 
 A bore on the north-easterly foot hill beyond this ranch would sti'ike water at a reasonable 
 depth, as near this ranch there is a strong spring, which forms quite a meadow and continues 
 to run all summer. The occurrence of these springs all point to an underground supply which, 
 if tapped at the proper place, will, I feel sure, yield an abundant supply of water. 
 
 Before closing this report, I nnist express my thanks to the farmers and others in the 
 upper country for many acts of kindness received at their hands. Every one appears to be 
 anxious to help the Government to solve this problem. Oti'ers of assistance have been many, 
 and should the boring prove successful the paities benefited have in every case ofl'ered to defray 
 the entire cost of the work, if water was struck in sutlicient quantities to Ik; useful. 
 
 Subjoined, I enclose summary of report, naming district, depth approximately, and nature 
 &c. 
 
 I have, (to., 
 
 (Signed) E. B. McKay. 
 
 of soil to be bored throui^h 
 
 SUMMARY OF REPORT. 
 
 Thompson River. 
 
 The right, or north, bank of the Thompson River, from Tranquille to the junction with 
 the North Thompson, contains much the largest area in block of good land where water is 
 entirely wanting. This flat is from one mile to one and a half miles wide and some live miles 
 long. Boring on this flat would not, I think, exceed over four hundred feet (400). Its 
 proximity to"Kamlocps and the C. P. R. would make it a good point for a trial boring. 
 
 South Thompson. 
 
 On the north bank of this river is much good land in extensive flats, ranging from eighty 
 to six hundred acres in blocks, and entirely without water on the lower benches. The higher 
 benches, or terrace flats, have small streams which are used for irrigation, but are not suflacient 
 
 for both. , . , . i. r 
 
 South bank of same river has also large areas of good land with, in some cases, water tor 
 
 irrigation, but mostly with but an indifferent supply. 
 
 The line of the "C. P. R. passes along these flats, and material could be placed on the 
 
 ground within a short distance of the work. 
 
..l.H 
 
 61 Vic. 
 
 Iruioaiion by Artesian Wells. 
 
 060 
 
 GiiANi) Pbaibie. 
 
 Any boriny undprtakon here would not, in my opinion, raise the water to tlie surface, 
 owing to till! fonniitioii of this jiart of tlic country bi'ing gravel subsoil, tho water of Salmon 
 iliver passing away below and again issuing from the north-easterly end of tho valley. 
 
 Mission Valley. 
 
 Mission Valley, Okanagun, contains a large area of land where irrigation cannot bo carried 
 out, owing to scarcity of water. Tlie largest area in block where water would, I think, be 
 obtained, is along the base of the iilue Mountain, in Township 26, Sections 22, 23, and 26, 
 and in Sections 29 or 32, same township. 
 
 Vernon. 
 
 Boring here (except in tho town) would be at a much greater elevation above the general 
 water levefof the country; but in Township 9, Sections 3J, 3, 2, water would command a largo 
 area of high land. 
 
 Pleasant Valley. 
 
 In Township 7, Sections 34, .5, 2, 3, 10, ) 1, 14, 9, 16. The average depth in 2, 35, 11, 
 14 would be from 150 feet to 250 feet; in 9 and 16 from 400 to 500 feet; and in 34, 3, t, say 
 from 500 to 600 feet. Boring hero would be in hard clay, and at a great depth boulders 
 might be met with. 
 
 Round Peairie. 
 
 At Schubert's a well is already rsunk to a depth of 125 feet and is in good order, and would 
 reduce the cost of boring. Boring her(> would go to a depth of about 300 feet. 
 
 Lansdowne, Spallumcheen. 
 
 In the town of Lansdowne, or on the Bennett and Lumby. ranch, a boring would test the 
 whole of the valley from Lansdowne to Enderby, as the formation is much the same. 
 
 Nicola. 
 
 Nicola offers a large area of splendid land in block (about 1,200 acres) on a bench about 
 80 feet above the right bank of the river. Boring would be through clay, and boulder clay 
 would be met with after 100 feet is reached; depth about 300 to 350 feet. 
 
 Cache Creek. 
 
 The area of land in Cache Creek valley is small, but when "Boston's" flat of about 300 
 acres is included it is considerable. At the eastern end of the valley, on Harper's ranch, would 
 be a most likely point for a boring, and boring here would not exceed 159 to 200 feet. 
 
 Cost of Boeing. 
 
 Boring in the average strata which I noted (and which is in places exposed to a great 
 depth) would not cost more than from $2 to $2.50 per foot, and in places this, I feel sure, 
 would be reduced. 
 
 Boeing Tackle. 
 
 I may here draw your Honour's attention to the fact that you have in Victoria a good set 
 
 of boring rods and all material for sinking wells of this description ; also the tubing for lining 
 
 same. With a small outlay for repairs and the purchase of one or more augurs of the most 
 
 modern pattern, the outfit is complete. 
 
 E. B. McKay. 
 
 VIcrORIA : Printed by Richard Wolfrxdrn, Government PrinUr 
 at the (ioveriimont PrlntiiiK Office, James' Bay.