Gold Run Hydraulic Mines – "Main Tunnel" Outlet

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View of the outlet portion of the principal sluicebox tunnel draining the Gold Run Diggins Hydraulic Mines at Gold Run, California. This tunnel has two forks, which total more than +3500 linear feet. It represents a physical hazard and safety concern to the general public, due to its location to a hiking trail along Canyon Creek and the North Fork American River, considered a high-use recreational area. It is also a probable water quality issue with significant concentrations of elemental mercury are reported to have accumulated in the residual sediments on the floor of the tunnel.  Corresponding high levels of methyl mercury are postulated to be present in the tunnel water discharge. The inner portion of the tunnel is on BLM-administered land.

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