The total Output from dredging is estimated to be about 1,964,000 ounces of gold.' - W.B. The dredge field is now an important source of sand and gravel. Output later declined, but dredging was done again from 1936 to 19 to 1952. In 1908 there were 35 dredges and 12 dredging companies active in the field. The field was highly productive from 1903 to 1916 They introduced bucket-line dredging in 1898, the first in California. Hammon and others tested the area to determine the feasibility of mining on a large scale.

The area was settled in 1849: Oroville originally was known as Ophir City, but the name was changed in 1855. Shallow placers were mined here during the gold rush. The field is one to two miles wide and nine miles long. It is mainly a dredging field that extends from just west of the city of Oroville southwest along the Feather River to a point about five miles due east of Biggs. 'This district is in southwestern Butte County. Piles of rocks cover the shores (at right). Ladders provide access to the different levels of the barge.

Machineries attached to the barge consist of a system of pulleys, conveyor belts and cables. The gold dredging barge is about two stories tall. USC Libraries Special Photograph of a gold dredge in the river (or lake?), Oroville, California, ca.1930. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library From the California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Release under the CC BY Attribution license- both “University of Southern California. University of Southern California Digital LibraryĬollection California Historical Society Collection, 1860-1960ĭoheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Publication Information University of Southern California. Title A gold dredge in the river (or lake?), Oroville, California, ca.1930 Creator Pierce, C.C.

What is dredging for gold