Reading the River: Gold Panning Basics
How to look at a stream and know where heavy minerals settle. Inside bends and drop riffles.
The Physics of Gold
Gold is incredibly dense—roughly 19 times heavier than water and much heavier than the surrounding gravel. This means it behaves predictably in a river. It doesn't wash away like sand; it sinks and settles wherever the water slows down.
The Inside Bend
As a river curves, the water on the inside of the bend moves slower than the outside. This drop in speed causes heavy materials (like gold) to drop out of the current. Dig on the inside gravel bars, especially behind large rocks or obstacles.
Drop Riffles and Bedrock
Gold eventually works its way down to the lowest point it can reach—usually the bedrock. Cracks and crevices in the bedrock act as natural riffles, trapping gold flakes and nuggets over centuries. Cleaning out these cracks is often the most productive way to pan.
Test Panning
Don't set up your sluice immediately. Do test pans in different spots to find the 'pay streak.' Look for black sands (magnetite and hematite); they are heavy and often travel with gold. If you find black sand, you're in the right neighborhood.