Any thoughts about the pospecting potential of our 18% full Folsom Lake?

[68Shelby]

I've been too busy to get out and do any prospecting lately but with the major drought in California I'm wondering what you folks think about Folsom Lake? I heard about a mini gold rush at Folsom lake during the last bad drought we had in the 80's. I held some nuggets found around that time too. Couldn't keep them though ;-)

I know it's silly to ask where to go to find gold, but any prior drought prospecting experiences would be extremely helpful. Especially considering how limited my time in the field is.

Thanks folks.

 

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[Fullpan]

Man, I don't know folsom, but wish I could revisit some rapids areas on the Yuba river that had too strong a current to snipe the bedrock cracks.

 

[dave wiseman]

Was on the Sacramento news last night.Don't think the park rangers allow any prospecting or taking of coins and artifacts with a detector or other means.I had a similar situation way back in the drought of 1977 at a local motherlode lake.Rangers spotted me metal detecting and said you can detect all you want but don't let us see you put anything in your pockets.I put my finds in my boot.

 

[Oakview2]

More than one way to skin a cat

 

[oldhdrider]

Heck ya!!

About '84 or '85, somewhere in there, Lake Oroville was way down around 40 percent. So low that it was below where the trees were cut. I seen anchors hanging in trees!!! I found all kinds of corroded stuff but here is what I want to tell you. I was walking along a small creek that was going through a decomposed granite area and in places was showing some bedrock. All I had with me was a fishing pole and a small box of spinners and a knife. I got down on my knees and started picking in cracks and I'll be damned if I didn't start finding some small pieces of gold!! I was there for a couple hours before dark. The next day I had to go back to Dallas and didn't get back there for about 10 years later but the lake was at normal level and that creek, where I could get to it then, was about half a mile from where I was before. There was probably 50' of water over where I was before. The thing is..get down there and look around. Never know what you'll find. I sold the gold to a jewelery shop in Richardson, Tx. He gave me $85.00 for it. Not too damn bad for just splashing water with my hands and picking with my knife tip. Biggest piece i found was about the size of a flattened wooden match head. If that lake gets down to that level again I'm taking at least a week vacation from work and heading back there.

 

[Oakview2]

Better get a plane ticket

Major Reservoir Current Conditions Graphs

 

[oldhdrider]

Better get a plane ticket

Major Reservoir Current Conditions Graphs

Damn!!! I can't get away till April!!! And then it's iffy cuz supposed to meet kids/grandkids in Custer State Park for
10 days vacation.

I see you're about 4-5 hours from there. If ya wanna check out that creek I'll put you spot on using google earth.

 

[Aufisher]

I will be there on Sunday looking for my wedding ring that fell overboard.

 

[oldhdrider]

I will be there on Sunday looking for my wedding ring that fell overboard.

Lake Oroville?

 

[Aufisher]

Folsom, but Oroville has been on my mind!

 

[oldhdrider]

I will be there on Sunday looking for my wedding ring that fell overboard.

Lake Oroville?

 

[Action]

Lakes around here are really low. Walked down a creek (Dry as of now) that hasn't seen the light of day for maybe 20+ years. I am trying to get there tomorrow to take a couple of samples.
Jack

 

[infotraker]

Folsom lake rules say metal detecting only for coins, leave anything else behind, this is posted on the recreation website. You can pan for gold but they frown on making any big holes or using breaker bars. Fill your holes ! Be advised that some rangers make up Thierry own rules.

 

[Lanny in AB]

If the water's low, and if gold's been found there before, have at it. The finds always register at zero if you don't go.

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html

 

[68Shelby]

Thanks everyone. I have to break free from the computer this week to check it out but I'll report back when I do.