GGoldvein
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Yuba River — South Fork

CAintermediate

Northern Mother Lode · near Nevada City · ~900 ft

Map
Exceptional likelihood

Steep gradient dumps coarse gold on bedrock shelves. Historic dredge fields and modern recreational digs both pay.

DirectionsLog dig
RiverBedrockPlacer

Access

Mixed access

Best season

Summer access

Water

perennial

Geology & history

Sierra Nevada batholith fringe; coarse nuggets in bedrock traps.

Historic yield: One of the richest CA gold rivers

Dispersion radius: ~16 km corridor on the map

Coordinates: 39.3180, -121.0980

Best features

  • Bedrock shelves
  • Coarse gold

Field tips

  1. Bedrock cracks after high water
  2. Watch for claim markers
  3. Cold fast water — footwear critical

Nearby corridors

~28 mi away

American River — North Fork

CA

Sierra Nevada Foothills · near Auburn

Classic California placer ground. Gold sheds from Sierra quartz veins and settles in river bends, behind boulders, and on false bedrock.

Exceptional
RiverGravel barBedrockPlacer
DetailsMap

~28 mi away

Feather River — Oroville Reach

CA

Northern Sierra · near Oroville

Heavy glacial and hydraulic reworking dumped fine and coarse gold into the lower Feather. Bars rebuild after high water.

High
RiverGravel barPlacer
DetailsMap

~69 mi away

Mokelumne River Corridor

CA

Central Mother Lode · near Jackson

Foothill river with bars and side channels that rebuild after storms. Fine to medium gold typical.

High
RiverGravel barPlacer
DetailsMap

Verify claims and land status before any excavation. Coordinates are approximate corridor centers for education. See Terms.