Thesis (M.A.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-118). Also available on the World Wide Web.

The principles of placer mining, no matter what the type, are the same. A device such as a pan, sluice, or a dredge is used in combination with water to extract the gold. from the material in which it was deposited. Likewise, the motive for all types of placer mining was the same; to obtain the most gold with a minimum of costs. Dredging is the most recent method used in California to mine placer deposits. The question of primary concern surrounding this seemingly profitable industry is: Why did gold dredging come to a grinding halt in 1968? Lesser concerns are: What impact did it have on the state in terms of' economics and aesthetics? Is it possible that dredging for gold could possibly be renewed in the State?