Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Ophir, California, is a small town in Placer County with an economy based on quartz mining. The town was founded in 1849, as settlers found the spot to be rich in placers, or deposits of minerals. Three years later, Ophir had grown to 500 inhabitants, more than any other town in the county. In 1853, fire devastated the town, though it was revived by the development of a strong quartz mining industry.
Ophir Canal is relatively conveniently situated for visitors, as it is less than 4 miles from Auburn Municipal Airport. The canal is located at 38.9 N 121 W, and is 373 meters, or 1,223.8 feet, above sea level. The zip code in the Ophir Canal locale is 95602, and the closest municipality is the town of Auburn.
The idea of water running uphill may seem strange, but it is based on a simple molecular property of water -- cohesion -- and differences in pressure. Cohesion is the term used to describe the affinity for water molecules to be attracted to each other, and this facilitates the flow of water because the molecules all move as one. To make these cohesive water molecules flow uphill, you need suction power, which is created by a difference in pressure between the higher area and the lower area of the canal. When the low pressure area is higher up geographically, the water will flow from the high pressure area to the low pressure area. You can simulate this phenomenon by creating a siphon.
The Ophir Canal's uphill flow isn't the only natural wonder in California. In addition to this waterway, California boasts natural attractions such as the Joshua Tree Forest -- the nations's largest, most dense forest, which features the largest solitary boulder in the world. California is also home to Clear Lake, the oldest lake in North America, and the world's largest plug dome volcano, found in Lassen Volcanic Park.