Sluice Angle/Speed/Depth Help

[AugustMoose87]

So I started sluicing in the mountains here in CO, where it was always fairly easy to get my sluice adjusted to an angle/speed/depth I liked. However, I recently lost my job in the mountains and have returned to the plains. I'm trying to keep my gold fever in check with Denver trips between the once or twice a year trips back to my mountain spots. SO....

Long story short, I found a gravel bar I had pretty good luck at today, but I struggled to my sluice "tuned" properly - I could never get it to clear out as well as I like (we're talking anywhere from 2-5 minutes between scoops). The area I was working just doesn't have that much slope or depth, so I have two options the way i see it.

Option 1 - Set up my sluice somewhere up or down river and carry my bucket to it.

Option 2 - Hope someone on here has had a similar problem and can offer some advice on how to get the sluice to run better.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[ChrisinCO]

Build a wing dam upstream and into your sluice if possible and force as much water as possible where you want it, or supplement water flow with a dredge-style pump. You dont have to pump directly in to the sluice just upstream from it and it should create more flow if it is damned up well. You have probably already done this, but it is all I can think of.

 

[LRC253]

Wing dam or you need to buy or build a recirculating sluice or highbanker.

 

[KevinInColorado]

AM87 I've spent a lot of time sluicing in metro Denver and almost always find I can build a little dam to get the flow I need. Sometimes I dam up whole creeks to get that good flow but I get it!

What waterway are you on? (No need to be too specific about locations if that makes you nervous...or PM me)

 

[AugustMoose87]

I'm on Clear Creek, and its about 15' wide where I'm at. The spot with the best slope has a bit of a pool above it, making a wing dam a bit of an endeavor. The REALLY frustrating thing it I can see just across the channel is a REALLY nice little spot where I could EASILY control the amount of water and slope, but it looks like the water is 3'-4' deep there.

If I'm being honest with myself (and everyone else) I kinda already knew my options were a wing dam, moving, or a different piece of equipment. I was just hoping an "old timer" on here would say "oh yea, all you got to do it XYZ and you'll be good" LOL

I guess I may just have to try and meet up with some fellow prospectors so we can do some trouble shooting on-site

 

[ChrisinCO]

Many hands make small work of big chores. I am heading to the Denver area this Sunday and would gladly help you with option generation or building a dam. Let me know where on here or with a pm.

 

[Hoser John]

Wing dam works mighty fine. If ya have some old flexible lawn/garden bordering it make great wing damn instantly. Just slide back and forth and push into the gravels and done,maybe a couple of rocks downstream if current is too strong but ez to do vs building a rock wall. Any,either or and good to go-John

 

[AugustMoose87]

Many hands make small work of big chores. I am heading to the Denver area this Sunday and would gladly help you with option generation or building a dam. Let me know where on here or with a pm.

Sadly I'll be working. Thanks for the offer and good luck!

 

[jcazgoldchaser]

Roll of sunshade and mule tape.

Fold the sunshade in 1/2 lengthwise, sew in the mule tape.

Span the dam across the river and run the mule tape out to trees or pound in some rebar.

 

[AugustMoose87]

I like that sunshade idea... I have some of the fabric I've been saving because I knew I would have a use for it (ok, maybe I have been saving it because I am a pack-rat), but I'll have to see if I can find some mule tape... The only place I have ever seen it running utility lines... would they have some at Home Depot or Lowes or somewhere??

On a related note... it may have been SLOW to run, but it was still doing its job... This was what I could pick/suck out after running about 2 gallons of dirt. Lots of smaller stuff that got added to my concentrates collection. But that is by far my best gold found to dirt run ratio ever!

 

[425jesse]

That's some fine-fine gold!!

 

[KevinInColorado]

Yes indeed, thumbs up!

PS hi Jesse!!

 

[425jesse]

Howdy Kevin!