lbd

Dredging ups and downs... There are ups? Weather and rain fall can be a problem, especially in river gorges prone to flash floods... I am not sure what others experience but I can turn up at the claim with a low clear flow and it is a brown turbid torrent 4 hours later... under blue skys

As Spock would say... "It is logic Jim... just not as we know it"

Don't you just love it... In NZ, amongst other fees I have one called "The non consumptive take and discharge of water" ...$270

I see a 40 mile about 40 miles upstream from Dawson...? The concept was developed to access a difficult gorge..... I would not class it as suitable for a long regular commute, the fuel costs would be prohibitive....

Any time you are down under... Yes works fine and I would love to give it a run up your way, I think it could be perfect for some of those Alaskan rivers. This was Mk2... it is good but not perfect... Mk 3 will have the concept nailed I reckon.

Yup dredge and boat.... home made but... with extensive marine and aluminium construction trade skills.

Thanks Steve... Yes it is all good fun... unfortunately I still need a real job to support the hobby.

A neat clip put together after the last 3 days dredging

Oh you poor sad fools.... I will be dredging all Jan when the average temp is 80F and the water is about 60F.... My season ends when there is an overnight frost. All I can wish for you is that you find enough gold to justify all the masochism ....

The one inch sticking up is for a hose for blowing out crevices... or for powering a 1.5 inch suction nozzle to clean out crevices. The large one is for a booster power jet for long distances or to assist the main power jet to prime... sometimes the main jet is above the water and needs a hand to get started.

Not the best photos but you should get the idea... I was annoyed with the two long hoses so got hold of 2 x 180 degree 2.5 inch bends... stretched one end to 3 inch to fit the keene 4 inch to 3 inch splitter, cut the 3inch ends of the jet flares and welded it all together as pictured. a 4 inch camlock attaches to the single 40hp pump... lost nothing but clutter... power the same... works a treat

I would get an aching back when dredging with only one weight belt around my waist... I split the weight into 3... some 1/8" lead lining in my rigid boots (innersole) 1/2 the weight in a waist belt....balance in a chest dive belt harness available from a dive shop. I also attach the hookah hose to this chest harness... works a treat and I can move rocks and cobbles for hours under water... hands and arms get a bit achy