Three quartz mills have recently commenced operations in Scott valley. We have not received any definite information as to what these mills have accomplished, but are informed that one of them is producing gold in great abundance. The Columbia Mining Company took out 12 lbs. of gold in one day, and 8 lbs. at night--making in all 20 lbs. The same gentleman informs us that miners generally in that vicinity are doing remarkably well. New diggings have been discovered near the American ranche. Those working there are getting well paid, in coarse, heavy gold. They are making from $12 to $20 per day to the man. The diggings are ravine diggings, and can be worked all winter. A convention of the quartz miners of Nevada county was to have been held at Nevada on the 13th of November, to adopt measures having for their purpose more unity of operation and greater security of labor and capital. The San Francisco papers of Jan. 1, 1853, contain most interesting intelligence of the state of the gold region. The following is the most important:-- The present winter is conceded to be the most severe experienced in this country since it has been populated by Americans. During the last fortnight it has been raining and snowing continually in the mountains and valleys, and we are daily in the receipt of accounts of disasters and suffering in all parts of the state. The waters have been unusually high, and communication through the mining regions almost entirely cut off, either by snow or overflowed streams. The rivers have been swelled to such an extent as to inundate all the low lands, causing immense damage, destroying stock and agricultural products. The whole country between Tehama and Sacramento city was entirely under water, whilst Marysville was partly inundated, and though Sacramento city was well protected by a levee, the lower portions were submerged. The waters at the present time have subsided, although the rains still continue. On the mountain streams, the loss of mining implements has been great, and all work for the present is suspended. Bridges have been swept away, and ferries destroyed, and some few lives lost. The southern portion of the mining district has suffered equally with the northern. Stockton has been inundated partially, and property to a considerable amount destroyed. The bridges on the Calaveras, Stanislaus, and other streams have been swept away, and communication with the mining towns for a while suspended. The flood has been universal, and the waters higher than in the memorable winter of 1849.