Is dredging legal in Idaho?

Is dredging legal in 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.

Is it legal to pan for gold in Idaho?

The Silver Valley in the Idaho panhandle has one of the richest mineral deposits in the world. Creeks, streams and rivers around the towns of Wallace, Kellogg, Osburn, Siverton and Mullan contain placer gold. For a small fee, you can pan for gold and keep it. Other gold panning areas in the panhandle include the St.

Can you suction dredge in Idaho?

About this Permit 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 you 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.

Can you use a sluice box in Idaho?

Rules say you can’t run motorized equipment below the ordinary high water line without a letter permit and can’t do so outside the permitted times. You can dig in the gravel below the ordinary high water line without a letter permit, if you move less than a 1/4 cubic yard per hour. Site is:.

Where can I metal detect for gold in the United States?

Arizona. Arizona is probably the most popular state for nuggetshooting in the U.S. This is primarily due to the fact that there are so many areas that produce gold nuggets and there is good detectable ground. There are many professional miners who spend the winter season metal detecting in Arizona.

What states allow suction dredging?

35 This section reviews the regulatory systems used in four states where suction dredging has been a point of contention: California, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska.

Where to find gold in Idaho?

GOLD LOCATIONS IN IDAHO. A considerable amount of gold has been recovered from placer and lode deposits in Idaho. Idaho gold was first discovered on a sandbar in the Pend Oreille River in 1852. In 1860, Captain E. D. Pierce found gold near the town of Pierce in Clearwater County.

Is gold mined in Idaho?

Gold in Idaho. A few other notable areas that have produced gold in Idaho include the mining towns of Warren which was dredge extensively along Warren Creek. South of Challis is the small town of Bayhorse, which was primarily a silver producer. It is now owned by the State of Idaho and is open to visitors.

Is there gold in Idaho?

Load and Placer . Two types of gold can be found in Idaho: load gold and placer gold. Load gold is larger chunks or nuggets; most of these remain embedded in quartz and are difficult to retrieve with a gold pan – but it’s not out of the question. Placer gold is common in Idaho.

What is gold mine in Idaho?

Winter or summer, the Silver Valley is a great place to vacation! The Crystal Gold Mine, near Kellogg, Idaho was one of the first hard rock mines in the Silver Valley. Worked during the 1880’s; closed by hiding the mine, it was rediscovered in 1991, reclaimed in 1996, and opened as a tourist historical attraction.