Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Report
MSS.197
Finding aid prepared by Leilani Silver, Pamela Nett Kruger
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
7/8/2010
Title: Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Report
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.197
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
1 Box with 5 Folders, 233 Leaves including maps and photos
Date: 1914
Abstract: The collection consists of a report from H.R. Edwards, Chief Engineer of Hammon Engineering Company to W.P. Hammon, managing
director of the Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields. Included in the report are sections on railroad possibilities and an irrigation
scheme. Appendices include a history and appraisal of the debris situation, a geologist's report, a report on hydraulic development,
and a copy of the Caminetti Act.
Alternate Form of Material: No other forms of material.
Language of Materials note: English
creator:
Hammon Engineering Company.
Arrangement note
Arranged numerically by report page numbers.
Biographical/Historical note
Gold dredging in California began in 1850 when a small river boat was fitted out as a dredge and gravel mining was attempted
above Marysville, California on the Yuba River. The first successful gold dredge in California was built in 1898 by Biggs,
Butte County resident Wendell P. Hammon, the "Dredger King," and his partner, Thomas Couch, a Montana mining businessman.
This first model and those that followed consisted of a floating hull, a digging ladder, an endless chain of buckets, screening
apparatus, gold-saving devices, pumps, and a stacker. The California dredge was developed from models used earlier in New
Zealand and in Montana, proving to be much more efficient than earlier one-bucket attempts.
Hammon was instrumental in founding the Yuba Construction Company in 1906, by purchasing the Western Engineering Company and
merging it with his own steel from a casting foundry in Marysville. Four large machine shops were built near Oroville to maintain
and build the dredgers. Hammon founded the Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields on the Yuba River in 1904. This company became a
large, profitable placer operation, a proving ground for new dredge designs and a training ground for dredge operators and
others in this global industry. As many as 50 dredgers worked in the Feather River/Yuba River drainage at one time.
The Yuba Construction Company changed its name to the Yuba Manufacturing Company and later became a subsidiary of the Yuba
Consolidated Gold Fields. In 1957 these companies merged into Yuba Consolidated Industries. Yuba dredges have been built and
shipped from California to worldwide markets during the first half of the 20th century. These "gold boats" were shipped in
pieces and assembled where the mining would take place. Locations included the countries of Malaya, the Philippines, Bolivia,
Columbia, China, and Russia.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research without restriction.
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
Scope and Contents note
The collection consists of a February 18, 1914 report titled, “Report on Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated
Gold Fields” from H.R. Edwards, Chief Engineer of Hammon Engineering Company to W.P. Hammon, managing director of the Yuba
Consolidated Gold Fields. The report covers the estimated costs of the construction work necessary to accomplish the un-watering
of the river bed above Hammonton and to generate adequate Hydro-electric power to supply the needs of the Yuba Consolidated
Gold Fields. Included in the report are sections on railroad possibilities and an irrigation scheme. Appendices include a
history and appraisal of the debris situation, a geologist's report, a report on hydraulic development, and a copy of the
Caminetti Act. Additional accompanying materials include a variety of maps, plans and photos that help to illustrate the project
and support the findings of the report.
Related Collections
A preliminary report on Scott Bar and Quartz Hill mining properties: Siskiyou County, California / For W. P. Hammon, San Francisco
Gassaway, A. D. MSS 043, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Abstract of title to that certain real property, known as "Nickerson Orchard" Butte County Title Abstract Company 1914, MSS
063 Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Report on Bald Mountain Consolidated Gold Mining Company placer mines and Plumas Development Company placer mines. Gassaway,
A. D. , MSS 089 Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba Manufacturing Company Records 1898-1958, MSS 157, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
W. P. Hammon Prospecting Log Books, MSS 305, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Wendell P. Hammon (1918-2006) Typescript: Gold Dredger as an Instrument of Conservation, 1955, MSS 306, Special Collections,
Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Report, MSS 197, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California
State University, Chico.
Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields Records, MSS 315, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Yuba Consolidated Industries Records, MSS 322, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
Preferred Citation note
Yuba River Diversion Project for Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields, MSS 197, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State
University, Chico.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Source unknown.
Publication Rights
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bowman Lake Systems.
Brayton, Corey
Eakle, Arthur S.
Edwards, H. R.
Excelsior Mining and Water Company.
Hammon Engineering Company.
Hammon, Wendell P., 1854-1939
Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields.
Yuba Consolidated Industries. Yuba Mining Division.
Yuba Construction Company.
Yuba Manufacturing Company, San Francisco.
Yuba River Diversion Project.
Dredges.
Gold dredging
Gold dredging -- California -- History.
Gold mines and mining -- California -- History.
Folder 1: 52 leaves-Report, Correspondence, Table of Contents, pages 1 – 49, photos and maps
Correspondence from H. R. Edwards, Hammon Engineering Company to W. P. Hammon, Yuba Consolidated Gold Fields (1 leaf)
Table of Contents (2 leaves)
Page 7 – photo – Panorama of dredging land
Page 8 – photo – Panorama showing Hammonton
Page 9 – photo – Dredge No. 14
Page 16 – photo – Scenes along Yuba river above dam site
Page 17 – photo – Scenes along Yuba river above dame site showing diminution of debris deposit
Page 27 – photo – Dam site
Page 41 – photo – Diversion cut
Page 43 – photo – Upper end of new channel in Dry Creek
Page 45 – photo – Views along Dry Creek
Page 47 – photo – Views of gravel storage dam and reservoir
Folder 2: 71 leaves-Report pages 50-120
Page 79 – Plate A – Map of California showing location of project
Page 80 – Plate B – General Plan of Project
Page 81 – Plate C – New Yuba River Channel
Page 82 – Plate D – Present Channel of Yuba River
Page 83 – Plate E – Reservoir and Dam Site
Page 84 – Plate F – Plan and Profile of Proposed Cut
Page 85 – Plate G – Plan of Dam and Spillway
Page 86 – Plate H – Details of Dam
Page 87 – Plate I – Log of Borings at Main Dam Site
Page 88 – Plate J – Proposed Yuba River Dam with Existing Rock Fill Dams
Page 89 – Plate K – Gravel Storage Dam on Dry Creek
Page 90 – Plate L – Layout of Power House
Page 91 – Plate M – Comparative Drainage Area and Runoff for California Streams
Page 92 – Plate N – Daily Discharge of Yuba River at “The Narrows”
Page 93 – Plate O – Proposed Dam and Hydraulic Developments Above It
Page 101 – photo – Panorama of Irrigable Lands
Page 104 – photo – Panorama of Irrigable Lands
Page 109 – photo – Views of Irrigable Lands
Page 110 – Plate P – Proposed Irrigation Canals and Area to be Served
Folder 3: 42 leaves-Report pages 121-163
Page 123 – photo – Scenes along proposed railroad
Page 142 – Plate Q – Map and Profile of Proposed Railroad from Marysville to Hammonton and Dam Site
Folder 4: 67 leaves-Report pages 164-230
Page 190 – photo – Views of dam site accompanying geologist’s report
Page 194 – photo – Views of dam site accompanying geologist’s report
Appendice A: The Debris Situation – p. 164-188
Appendice B: Geologist’s Report – p. 189-199
Appendice C: Hydraulic Development – p. 200-210
Appendice D: Description of Recent Rock-fill Dams – p. 211-217
Appendice E: Caminetti Act – p. 218-230
Folder 5: Black leather report cover (empty)
