Arkansas Gold--How does this spot in the photo look to you?

[BadgerGold]

My sister got a job in Arkansas and I heard there can be decent gold there. GPAA's site (I'm not a member... yet) says there's gold in Pike County in their guidebook. I was looking on Google Maps at places near Benton where my sister works and saw this spot off of the Ouachita River. Just based off the Google satellite image it looks like a decent bend, with some bedrock showing.

What do you think? I will be going there next week and taking my A52 with me. I will let everyone who responds to this thread know how I did! Better at least get a few specks...


Tell me your thoughts, look good? No? I'll try it anyway haha

 

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[okbasspro]

I prospect the other side of the mnts in Oklahoma its just about all flour gold.Good luck.

 

[63bkpkr]

BG,
If there's gold in the area then of course a possibility exists that there will be some at this location. A lot will depend on the level of the water when you arrive, if no rain has fallen anywhere locally or way up river for some time then that would be the best time to get there. The classic gravel bar is on the inside bend and the heavy water, exposed rock is on the outside bend. Be careful of snakes in and around the rocks. Gold panning is a dig and sample operation to locate a pay streak with muscle usage of muscles that most of us have not used in some time so be careful with your back and legs, wear a hat and be careful of the sun burning you. As always, Have Fun...........63bkpkr

 

[Timmy Tom]

Magnet Cove is up river from there. Do a search for Magnet Cove minerals. They have discovered a lot of new and rare minerals there. Good luck.

TT

 

[BadgerGold]

BG,
If there's gold in the area then of course a possibility exists that there will be some at this location. A lot will depend on the level of the water when you arrive, if no rain has fallen anywhere locally or way up river for some time then that would be the best time to get there. The classic gravel bar is on the inside bend and the heavy water, exposed rock is on the outside bend. Be careful of snakes in and around the rocks. Gold panning is a dig and sample operation to locate a pay streak with muscle usage of muscles that most of us have not used in some time so be careful with your back and legs, wear a hat and be careful of the sun burning you. As always, Have Fun...........63bkpkr

It's funny that you mention that, I was just out at the Menomonee River in WI practicing panning. My back is pretty sore today lol and I'm a young man! I really hope this spot is good, and I appreciate the tips BkPkr. I'll reply to this thread when I get back and let everyone know how it was. Take care

BG

 

[TheNewCatfish]

You know what Badger. A bit of detective work might save you a bunch of time and sweat. I'm thinking in a place like Benton, Arkansas... lots of people spend their entire lives there. You should be able to get really good local information. If there's no local prospecting club, try anyplace in Benton that sells pans or equipment. Check the popular watering hole for contacts. Make a pass by the Senior Citizens Center. There's bound to be a couple of ole' guys sitting around there who'd love to tell you about the best spots on the Ouachita River to pan. Bring your pictures. I follow this appraoch every time i hit a new area. Could save you a ton of time prospecting. Some of the best spots i've found, weren't found on the internet.

 

[TheNewCatfish]

P.S. I like that little draw that runs into the river in the upper right hand corner of the picture. Alot of material has been cut outta there by mother nature over time. Check the draw (not the river), where it intersects with the bigger body of water. Anything coming down that draw should'a dropped out right there. You have two things working for you there. Turbulence and back flow from the river. Both cause gold to drop out of a watercourse. Good Luck.

 

[BadgerGold]

P.S. I like that little draw that runs into the river in the upper right hand corner of the picture. Alot of material has been cut outta there by mother nature over time. Check the draw (not the river), where it intersects with the bigger body of water. Anything coming down that draw should'a dropped out right there. You have two things working for you there. Turbulence and back flow from the river. Both cause gold to drop out of a watercourse. Good Luck.

That's a really good idea. Just based on the picture, there are several areas where I'd like to do some sample panning. I also think speaking to some locals wouldn't be a bad idea, the people there are very nice. I agree you can find out alot more that way, as opposed to just searching the internet. I just didn't know where to go in Arkansas that was close by.... saw this area on Google maps and though dang that may be good.

Thanks alot for the tips Catfish, I'll let you know how that draw ends up. I plan on taking several sample pans from several spots on that draw, especially now that you pointed that out. Be sure to check back about a week from now, or i'll PM you guys.


Thanks again and good luck out there,

Ben "BG"

 

[TheNewCatfish]

Make sure to keep your samples seperate. If you're using one bucket, freezer paper works well. Insert the paper into the bucket, write down the sample number and a discription of where the sample was taken with a black felt pen. Classify the dirt and toss it in the bucket, keep repeating the process. Don't overfill the bucket. About 3/4 full. You don't wanna lose your footing carrying a full bucket of dirt around. For goodness sake, don't jump down off any rocks with a full bucket in your hands. Again. Good Hunting.

 

[BadgerGold]

Will do, that's a good idea!

 

[BadgerGold]

Well I'm back from my trip to Arkansas. The sluice worked great!!! I'll just come right out and say it, I did not find any gold... The river was very high and I could not get to ANY of the good areas that I wanted to. I basically just dug some dirt in the river and along the side... Oh well, It was a great experience and I had the sluice dialed in PERFECTLY. I had alot of problems at first because the river was high and the sluice kept being sunken to deep... eventually I just put it up against a small waterfall that was already made naturally and it worked like a water pump you'd use in your garage!! I found some shotgun shot, alot of black sand and a small red garnet but not one speck of gold... Next time I'm going to get out to that nice sand bar and hit it hard! Just thought I'd update you guys... I think I may invest in a sluice stand so that I don't have to spend so much time finding the perfect shallow area/moving rocks around etc.


PS I love the Keene A52 people ***** about how heavy, cleanup etc. You know what, It's a little big but its SO sturdy cleanup is a breeze and it works awesome. Going to just stick with the stock riffles/carpet because I haven't been able to prove it doesn't work as well as moss etc. Take care everyone!


--BG

 

[JC Allen]

Badger, keep at it in Arkansas! I just got word that flour gold AND a nugget were found in March over in the Washington/Madison counties in the NW corner.

Here is the USGS geochemical analysis picture of Gold in stream sediments in the Razorback state...

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Badger, keep at it in Arkansas! I just got word that flour gold AND a nugget were found in March over in the Washington/Madison counties in the NW corner.

Here is the USGS geochemical analysis picture of Gold in stream sediments in the Razorback state...
<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=780604"/>

JC Allen..... You got a map or a link where I can find a map like that of Southern California?

 

[Jimmydolittle]

JC Allen..... You got a map or a link where I can find a map like that of Southern California?

Any university with a Geology department will have those maps, but you may have to purchase them.

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Thanks

 

[BadgerGold]

Thank you JC, that picture is really helpful and further justifies my original belief that there is probably a decent amount of gold in the Ouachita river as it appears to flow near/through one of the "red spots" or highest Au content