Lower Arkansas River

crashbandicoot

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I live in S.E.Arkansas near the Arkansas River.I,ve read of Flour gold in the upper reaches of the River and was wondering if you prospectors think any of that gold could wash all the way down here.In spring high water the current runs pretty fast.I,ve seen what I think is black sand mixed in with regular sand along the sand bars.Below the last dam on the river all land below the mean high water mark is considered public so no problems with permissions but we,re talking millions of tons of sand here.I,m not talking get rich stuff,just maybe some color just to say I found some gold and something to do to get out of the house and away from the rat race.I,d just be panning.This is very close to where the Arkansas runs into the Mississippi and I,m familiar with the area having spent lots of time there fishing and hunting.So what do you real prospectors think?Thank you for any comments or advice.
 

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crashbandicoot

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Pans are cheap. There’s one way to find out. Get you feet we and your hands dirty.
Thanks,I was going to do that regardless,I just wanted some opinions from on here.Lots of knowledge available and most are great about passing it on!Thanks again for the encouragement and good luck to you.
 

KevinInColorado

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Yes, there will be fine gold there. The upper Arkansas River is loaded with the sort of very small colors that will easily move during high water. Over the millennia you can be sure that gold has moved all the way down stream to you!
 

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crashbandicoot

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Thanks there Kevin,that,s the kind of thing I was looking for,just a bit of confirmation I might be on the right track.can,t wait for the River to go down and give it a try.
 

et1955

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If the gold is really fine you might consider looking at how we mine on the oceans beaches here on the west coast.
 

Johnnybravo300

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I read something a few years ago that the gold had reached 180 miles from the Rockies or something.
I cant remember now exactly but it was something like that.
 

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Clay Diggins

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Nov 14, 2010
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I read something a few years ago that the gold had reached 180 miles from the Rockies or something.
I cant remember now exactly but it was something like that.

That's probably about right if you are writing about recoverable gold. The gold found in the northwest portion of the Arkansas river in Arkansas state is most likely from the Wichita mountains.

South of Pine Bluff Arkansas there is essentially zero chance of recoverable gold in the river. North of Pine Bluff the undammed portions of the river may have some slight chance of a few pieces of small but recoverable gold.
 

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crashbandicoot

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That's probably about right if you are writing about recoverable gold. The gold found in the northwest portion of the Arkansas river in Arkansas state is most likely from the Wichita mountains.

South of Pine Bluff Arkansas there is essentially zero chance of recoverable gold in the river. North of Pine Bluff the undammed portions of the river may have some slight chance of a few pieces of small but recoverable gold.
I,m gonna give it a try just to satisfy my own curiosity,you don,t know if you don,t go.It,ll give me something interesting to do and get out of this damned house for a while.On the day that I cease to be curious about things like this is the day I.ll know I,ve had it here on this earth.All comments are appreciated,thanks guys.
 

ANTIQUARIAN

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You'll have to post a follow up to your question about gold in the Arkansas River... did you find any? :icon_scratch:
Dave
 

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crashbandicoot

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Havn,t had a chance to go yet,the River,s been high and I can,t get to where I want to go so nothing to report,I,ll definitely let you guys know when I try it.Thanks all for the encouragement.
 

ANTIQUARIAN

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Havn,t had a chance to go yet,the River,s been high and I can,t get to where I want to go so nothing to report,I,ll definitely let you guys know when I try it.Thanks all for the encouragement.
Thanks very much for the follow up Crash.
There's no gold to be found in my area, unless I want to head to the beach of course. :icon_scratch:

But at my age when I wear a Speedo, I look like a head of cauliflower wrapped in a rubber band! :laughing7:

Best of luck to you,
Dave
 

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