Existing comment:
River channels were mined by diverting the water into a bypass flume and exposing the river bottom.
Chinese wheels set in the bypass flume powered the various mining operations: lifting water and pay dirt into the sluicing flume, and endless bailers to keep the working area dry. At least a dozen men were needed to operate this equipment.
This popular operation was not very profitable because gold is usually deposited along banks and bars rather than in the main river channel. |