We helped some friends get situated on Boulder Creek 1-1/2
weeks ago for dry digging… no run-off this spring but they were chasing bedrock
so they didn’t really mind.
We got a call from them the following Saturday, said they had
found some gold, really enjoyed the week and were headed for home after an
evening with rain showers and hail.
Sunday we wandered over that way since the rain
continued and we hoped there might be some sign of run-off. Keep in mind that Black Hills experience tells
us we need in the range of three inches of rain to saturate the ground and begin
any kind of flow in the creeks. We also know that our Boulder claim, 40 acres,
can have running water toward the top and none near the bottom!
We had to email this photo, 24 hours after our friends
departed, all of the last two years’ workings being flooded. Ironically, we could still cross a dry creek at Camp Five for access in and out.
A friend, Brian, decided to really experience his first flood
event in the Northern Hills, and traveled the area photographing various
creeks. We credit this later stage flood photo to him! It features the same stretch of creek with the old pit filling rapidly.
Now if you are curious, this flood event was pretty specific
to the Northern Hills. Spearfish registered around four inches total, with
rains tapering to about one inch at Hill City and the Southern Hills having
isolated showers and not much accumulation.
We sit in awe of Mother Nature’s ability to scour any
evidence of man and re-create her natural beauty!
