Project Description:

The Walloupa East sluice tunnel is located on both unpatented BLM administered land and adjoining patented hydraulic placer gold mines.  The mercury outlet site has been subjected to water, sediment, and biota sampling and is known to contain concentrations of elemental and methyl mercury.  The sluice tunnel portal is currently ungated.

Site Restoration Considerations

1. Sluice Tunnel Characterization
Collect data on the geological, hydrological and biological resources inside the sluice tunnel. Sampling was initiated in FY 2000.

2. Public Access and Use
Access to the site is currently unrestricted. The site is primarily accessed used by recreational gold miners, rockhounds, and the curious.  Mine gates, using bat friendly gate designs, may be erected at this site to deter public access into the tunnel areas.

3. Land Status
The opportunity to develop a cooperative mine restoration partnership between the fee simple owner and the BLM will be pursued.

4. Restoration Methods Being Considered
None at this time.

Risks:  Water Quality, Physical Safety, Mercury

Location:  N39 12 01, W120 52 10

Field Office:  Mother Lode

Congressional District:  02

View of the outlet portion of the Walloupa East 400-foot-long sluicebox tunnel draining the eastern portion of the Walloupa Hydraulic Mines.