Greetings to All Gold Prospectors!

Due to high water on Money Creek at the "Easy Money" GPAA Claim and the lack of available camping facilities, we are moving the outing to another GPAA Claim.

NEW LOCATION!!!!

DATE:            JULY 16-18, 2010

LOCATION:  SWAUK CREEK-THIS MINING AREA, ALONG HIGHWAY 97, EXTENDS FROM THE LIBERTY TURNOFF, NORTH ALONG SWAUK CREEK FOR ABOUT TEN MILES.

CAMPING:    ELLENSBURG KOA
                       http://koa.com/where/wa/47129/
                       509-925-9319

INITIAL MEETING LOCATION:  SATURDAY 9:00AM AT THE KOA. FROM THE KOA WE WILL PROCEED TO THE CLAIM.

WASHINGTON STATE GOLD AND FISH RULES ALLOW THE FOLLOWING:

Mineral Prospecting Without Timing Restrictions

You may mineral prospect year-round in all waters of the state, except lakes or salt waters. You must follow the rules

listed below, but you do not need to have the rules with you or on the job site.

1. You may use only hand-held mineral prospecting tools and the following mineral prospecting equipment when

mineral prospecting without timing restrictions:

(a) Pans;

(b) Spiral wheels;

(c) Sluices, concentrators, mini rocker boxes, and mini high-bankers with riffle areas totaling three square feet or less, including ganged equipment





Mineral Prospecting With Timing Restrictions

You may mineral prospect only in the waters, during the times, and with the mineral prospecting equipment limitations

identified in the table of authorized work times beginning on page 17 of this pamphlet. You must follow the rules listed

below, and you must have the rules with you or on the job site.

1. You may use only hand-held mineral prospecting tools and the following mineral prospecting equipment when

mineral prospecting with timing restrictions:

(a) Pans;

(b) Spiral wheels;

(c) Sluices, concentrators, rocker boxes, and high-bankers with riffle areas

totaling ten square feet or less, including ganged equipment;

(d) Suction dredges should have suction intake nozzles with inside diameters

of five inches or less, but shall be no greater than 5¼ inches

to account for manufacturing tolerances and possible deformation of the

nozzle. The inside diameter of the dredge hose attached to the nozzle may be no greater than one inch larger than

the suction intake nozzle size. See Figure 16.

(e) Power sluice/suction dredge combinations that have riffle areas totaling ten square feet or less, including ganged

equipment, suction intake nozzles with inside diameters that should be five inches or less, but shall be no greater

than 5¼ inches to account for manufacturing tolerances and possible deformation of the nozzle, and pump

intake hoses with inside diameters of four inches or less. The inside diameter of the dredge hose attached to

the suction intake nozzle may be no greater than one inch larger than the suction intake nozzle size. See

Figure 16.

(f ) High-bankers and power sluices that have riffle areas totaling ten square


Washington Counties and State Waters

Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) in parentheses

Mineral Prospecting

Is Allowed Only

Between These Dates

State Waters (and tributaries,

unless otherwise indicated) in

Which You May Use Mineral

Prospecting Equipment with

a Four and One-Quarter Inch

Maximum Suction Intake Nozzle

Inside Diameter





Kittitas County July 1 ‑ September 30
Swauk Creek (39.1157) July 16 ‑ September 30


For all the rules and regulations please consult the Fish and Gold Booklet which is attached.