Aggregate Resource Inventory of Grays Harbor County

The Washington Geological Survey (https://dnr.wa.gov/washington-geological-survey) has announced the publication of a new resource titled the, "Aggregate Resource Inventory of Grays Harbor County."  The publication consists of a 1:100,000-scale map and a pamphlet describing the methods and results of the study.  Both may be downloaded for free from the link here as a 13 MB ZIP file.

The significance of this new report for gold prospectors in particular should not be overlooked.  Although the stated purpose of the study is to provide information on the location of construction aggregate used in the manufacture of concrete, asphalt, sand, gravel, and other materials essential for roads, homes, businesses, and bridges, these glacial outwash aggregates also sometimes contain placer gold.  The editor is aware of one such deposit in Snohomish County that reportedly provides the company owning the site with significant supplemental income from gold recovered from the sand and gravel mined.

As always, be sure you have either permission or other legal right to prospect and mine on any property you intend to investigate before you begin any operations.

Happy hunting!

 The link to the WGS announcement is here.