A Short History of the Bear and Yuba Rivers

[@MOSTIC2010]

wow... Ive been spending a lot of time on the Yuba and Bear this is great! thanks for compiling all the info and making this video. AWESOME Job!

[@michaelstark1]

Thank you for your kind remarks. Tomorrow I head to the confluence of the Bear and Feather Rivers. At the confluence there is a bird sanctuary; Bobelaine sanctuary. I hope to create a short KZbin video. This is my second visit. A great place to hike miles of trails.

[@MOSTIC2010]

@@michaelstark1 I am always trying to understand what im seeing in gold country.... like the minors tunnel by Hoyts crossing ... It was to allow more water flow?? and im still trying to understand what a hydraulic pit is and how the material made it into the sluices etc.... im always analyzing the areas... Does the Bear even get replenished still like the Yuba? I could ask a million questions ... gold is fun and so is history.!

[@khayree]

Excellent! Thank you

[@michaelstark1]

Thank you for viewing my video. Each video features interesting locations to visit. www.KZbin.com/@michaelstark1

[@sharonkasper5126]

No gold, no California. Gold meant everything to California. Even today, gold mining is still going, with many mining claims and people working the gravels of the rivers. Not the old ways of destruction, but proper management so we can all enjoy the outdoors.

[@michaelstark1]

CA. produced 140,000 Troy Oz of gold... All produced in Imperial County. However, this report does not count for amateur gold miners working CA streams.

[@SubaruOffRD]

@@michaelstark1 Yes gold built ca

[@michaelstark1]

My next video…long in production. Will be on limestone. In 1912, CA was mining about 40 different minerals…Yes, I know silver, iron, copper, gold were metals! However, the mining report from CA Bureau of Mines lumped them all together. Limestone was the glue that built the state’s infrastructure, housing, business and roads. Sugar production required lime. Agriculture needed lime. My upset stomach needs lime. Look for my next video in about a month! M

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

It was sure nice to watch your video going into the New Year! Thanks Michael and Happy New Years to you and your family 2023 🎉

[@michaelstark1]

Glad you enjoyed it. Next video will be published in two weeks. I'm waiting for two peer reviews. The topic is on limestone. It turns out that limestone was (is) more important to CA industrial growth than gold. I say "is" because CA is a leading producer of products made from limestone!

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

@@michaelstark1 That will be great I look forward to it, I love the history of our area and surrounding counties, born and raised my whole life 42 years! Since I was a kid I’ve been interested in history of California and your channel is the best 👍

[@michaelstark1]

@@seanpacificrailroad3700 Thanxs for the kind words. I’m turning 80 in 2023. My wife and I have toured many parts of the world. Every country has a spot of beauty. California’s beauty is found throughout the state. I enjoy making these videos as it allows me to explore. I am hoping that my exploration will have others recognize what we have here in CA is worth saving. CA’s history is taught in the 4th grade. It should be taught in high school. Our children need to learn how we became the 5th largest economy in the world.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

@@michaelstark1 I truly believe these videos that you make are a gift for anyone that is interested in California History, and I believe they are making a huge difference for everyone. Thank you for your time, your experience, knowledge and all your hard work 😃

[@magnaworld]

Thank you for this video!

[@michaelstark1]

Strange as it might be, In 2018, CA produced 140,000 troy ounces of gold. The gold did not come from the old Mother Lode, but from Imperial County's Mesquite mine! Yes, there is still gold to be found in the Mother Lode. Grab a pan and enjoy a day looking for treasure. If you are in the Auburn area, stop at Pioneer Mining Co. 878 High Street: www.pioneermining.com 1.530.823.9000. For first timers, they can supply pans and head you in the right direction. Panning is a great outdoor activity for both old and young. Remember I get ten percent royalties! Right now I'm working on a new video exploring mining operations on the upper Bear River. Besides the lure of quick riches, there are also (almost) ghost towns to visit.

[@VendettaProspecting]

👀

[@lincolnthinking]

nice history presentation, much appreciated ~

[@SubaruOffRD]

"would you make ca w/o gold" lol omg I always think its funny how people think the mining scar is ugly. I think it looks cool to see inside the hill. I drive by Cherokee all the time and love looking at it. People forget that we are just as much part of this planet as the mountains are. They leave there impressions on us and we leave ours on them.

[@michaelstark1]

Cherokee has an interesting past….Yes Cherokees came to CA seeking gold.

[@CBeard849]

this is the kind of video's I love! Outdoor adventures of historic sites. Also, I'm intrigued by the early use of the word "humbug" as a place name all over the Western US. It's definition being: "deceptive or false talk or behavior" ....???

[@michaelstark1]

Humbug…I guess they failed to find gold. Thank you for your comments. I try to combine history with location. My next project is “rice”…

[@CBeard849]

it took me awhile but eventually found Dredge #17 on Google Earth! I can't travel much anymore so I visit sites via G.e. Thanks for your videos! @@michaelstark1

[@adamlong54]

My dad pulls gold outta the yuba rivers all the time. There is a huge boulder he swears there's a bunch of gold under but it's so big you can't move it.

[@michaelstark1]

Ninety-eight percent of the gold is still in the ground. There are still gold mining operations active in CA. Tomorrow I head up the Yuba River to videotape early mining operations and a ghost town or two. One of the major gold mines in Grass Valley wants to reopen. If panning, look for dark sand around rocks, trees and ponds.

[@adamlong54]

@@michaelstark1 I lived in Grass valley went to Nevada union high school and at 17 and a half left for the us army never to return LMAO. Love the land hate the state for what it's become politically. There is a stream by old house the river runs off of bedrock into a swirling hole i bet if one could dive in there is gold there at the bottom just sitting there. Getting in and out is another story LMAO

[@telemark22]

I've heard of someone moving such a boulder and finding that it had already been propped up and cleaned out--supposedly by the Chinese miners who picked things clean after the Gringos gave up.

[@adamlong54]

@@telemark22 not this one. LMAO this one is a big round boulder its bigger than a house sir as tall and wide as a house and round like a ball almost you'd have to blast it to remove it.

[@michaelstark1]

CA without gold? Since we can’t change the past, I guess we will just look forward. What we can’t ignore is the ever present pollution and scars.

[@DavidHuber63]

A greed frenzy distroyed our rivers and choked our fish and someone said this it's beautiful, wow SMH

[@michaelstark1]

By comparison, you might Google pictures of the Kern River. There has been a small agreement to restore the San Joaquin River. In any case, California’s gold has been her water. Every almond you munch on or is exported is a gallon of CA water. Right now I’m working on a new video “Rice”. CA is the second largest grower of rice in the US. There is a story to be told…. “CA Rice and Water; a Happier Tale”. I do need a snappier title.

[@DavidHuber63]

@@michaelstark1 we do like growing things, "a happy merge" ?

[@shanerodgers9291]

No gold, no Californian. Also, no CA gold, no U.S. as we know it. So no, I wouldn't recreate CA with no gold.

[@sandua51]

If you don't like mining stay away from it.

[@uwillnevahno6837]

Just imagine the genetic damage wrought upon successive generations from working those mercury coated tables....

[@michaelstark1]

@@uwillnevahno6837 Worse yet the mercury vapors escaped into our atmosphere and settled throughout CA’s watersheds. As a result our fish have high concentrations of mercury.

[@robkitchen5344]

Too hard to pick???? You must mean too lazy to pick so lets destroy everything instead choice wasmade

[@michaelstark1]

Thank you for viewing. Take a look at “North Table Top Mountain”. The mountain is just outside of Oroville and is considered part of the Sierra Nevada. There is still unmatched beauty.

[@telemark22]

@@michaelstark1 Table Mountain.

[@adambatchelder4121]

Not at all mining and logging made northern california .

[@michaelstark1]

True...As mining decreased, agriculture increased. The mining infrastructure of water delivery systems were repurposed for hydroelectric power and agriculture. In the late 19th century Pacific Fruit Express was able to ship fresh produce to the East Coast.