Click on an image to see a larger version.
More than a century after cessation of hydraulic mining, alluvium still chokes some stream valleys in the northern gold country.
Clear Creek, near North San Juan, Nevada County, CA (1987).
Acid drainage from abandoned mines is a widespread problem, but even more acute in the desert where freshwater sources are scarce.
Keystone Canyon, New York Mountains, East Mojave National Scenic Area, CA (1992).
These giant wooden wheels were built to carry mine tailings over a ridge from the mine to a disposal area.
Kennedy Mine, near Jackson, CA (1992).
The valley of the Trinity River was devastated by mining dredges sifting the gravel for gold.
Trinity River upstream from Trinity Lake, near Carrville, CA (1991).
Abandoned mine shafts must be sealed to reduce the hazard they pose to people and animals.
Organ Pipe Cactus NM, AZ (1988).