Is dredging legal in Idaho?
Operators of small suction dredges in Idaho must obtain NPDES permit coverage. The permit places conditions on the discharge of rock and sand from each mining operation to protect water quality and aquatic resources. These conditions include best management practices and prohibited areas.
Where can I gold dredge?
5 Historic Gold Dredges You Can Go Visit
- Gold Dredge #8. Having its best years in operation from 1928 to 1959, Gold Dredge #8 extracted millions of ounces of gold from the grounds of Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Yankee Fork Gold Dredge.
- Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge.
- Reiling Gold Dredge.
- Tuolumne Gold Dredge.
Where was the most gold found in Idaho?
Snake River Gold It is interesting to note that the longest river in Idaho, the Snake River, is believed to have more gold than any other river in the entire state of Idaho. Many geologist have surmised this to be true, yet almost no commercial mining has been done along the Snake River.
How is dredge mining regulated in the state of Idaho?
Recreational dredge mining is regulated by the Stream Channel Protection Act administered by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR). If a miner has a recreational dredging permit issued by IDWR they do not need any additional permits from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) to mine in a navigable stream.
How big is a dredge for placer mining?
Dredge and placer mining is the extraction of minerals containing particles of gold or other valuable minerals, using suction dredges with a nozzle eight inches in diameter or more. A placer deposit can be in a natural watercourse or an ancient river channel high above a stream.
Where is the Yankee Fork gold dredge in Idaho?
The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is located in the central mountains of Idaho on the Yankee Fork tributary of the Salmon River. The Yankee Fork is close to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area. The nearest town, Stanley, is 22 miles from the dredge.
Where can you find gold in central Idaho?
The Salmon River drains a huge part of central Idaho, with countless gold-bearing tributaries that flow into it. You can do some gold panning just about anywhere along the Salmon River and you have a good chance of finding some gold. Often it is very fine textured, but there have been some nice gold nuggets recovered in parts of the river as well.